Tallgrass-prairie
Guides
Antistrophus
undescribed Silphium flower gall wasp
An undescribed species of gall wasp in the genus Antistrophus that induces flower galls on Silphium species, particularly in tallgrass prairie ecosystems. The wasp manipulates plant tissue to form protective galls that house developing larvae. This species represents part of a complex of Antistrophus wasps specialized on Silphium host plants, with distinct species targeting stems versus flowers.
Gryllotalpa major
prairie mole cricket
Gryllotalpa major, the prairie mole cricket, is the largest cricket species in North America, endemic to the tallgrass prairie ecosystems of the south-central United States. Males exhibit a classical lekking mating system, constructing specialized acoustic burrows that amplify their calling songs to attract flying females from distances up to 400 meters. The species is threatened by habitat loss due to prairie conversion, with current populations restricted to fragmented sites in Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Arkansas. Research has documented unique acoustic behaviors, including harmonic chirps rather than trills, and vibrational communication between neighboring males through the soil.
Haplorhynchites
head-clipping weevils, leaf and bud weevils
Haplorhynchites is a genus of leaf and bud weevils in the family Attelabidae, comprising ten recognized species. The genus is best known through Haplorhynchites aeneus, commonly called the sunflower head-clipping weevil, which exhibits a distinctive reproductive behavior where females girdle plant stems below the flower head to facilitate larval development. Members of this genus are associated with prairie ecosystems and sunflower plants, with most species described from North America.
Hesperia dacotae
Dakota skipper
Hesperia dacotae, the Dakota skipper, is a small to medium-sized North American butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. Adults are active for approximately three weeks during June and July, their entire lifespan. The species inhabits native tallgrass prairie and has experienced significant population declines due to prairie destruction and modification. Listed as Threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act since 2014, it has been extirpated from Illinois and Iowa, with its largest remaining population in North Dakota.
Mermiria
mermiria grasshoppers, slant-faced grasshoppers
Mermiria is a genus of slant-faced grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, comprising at least four described species distributed across North America. These grasshoppers are characterized by their strongly slanted faces, long wings, and association with tallgrass prairie habitats. The genus includes economically significant species that feed on native and introduced grasses.
Mermiria bivittata
Two-striped Mermiria, Two-striped Slantface Grasshopper, Mermiria Grasshopper
Mermiria bivittata is a large, long-winged slant-faced grasshopper of the tallgrass prairie. It is a specialist grass-feeder that reaches its highest densities in unplowed native grasslands with big bluestem, yellow indiangrass, and switchgrass. Though capable of outbreak densities and consuming more vegetation per individual than many smaller grasshoppers, it rarely becomes a significant agricultural pest due to generally low population densities and abundant forage production in its preferred habitat.
Mermiria bivittata bivittata
Twostriped Slantfaced Grasshopper
Mermiria bivittata bivittata is a large, long-winged grasshopper widely distributed across North America, with its center of abundance in the tallgrass prairie. It is a specialist feeder on native grasses, reaching densities up to one adult per square yard in undisturbed habitat. Despite its potential as a pest due to high individual consumption rates, populations typically remain at low densities and rarely cause significant economic damage. The subspecies exhibits late hatching, relatively slow nymphal development, and strong flight capabilities.
Mermiria bivittata maculipennis
Twostriped Slantfaced Grasshopper
Mermiria bivittata maculipennis is a subspecies of the twostriped slantfaced grasshopper, a large, long-winged grasshopper widely distributed in North America with its center of distribution in the tallgrass prairie. It is a specialized grass-feeder inhabiting tall grass communities, particularly big bluestem, yellow indiangrass, and switchgrass. The subspecies is characterized by specific wing patterning as indicated by the epithet 'maculipennis' (spotted wings). It is a late-hatching species with relatively slow nymphal development, and while capable of reaching outbreak densities, it rarely becomes a significant economic pest due to generally low population densities in its productive grassland habitats.
Prionus debilis
Prionus debilis is a long-horned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, occurring in the tallgrass prairies of the eastern Great Plains. Males possess hypersegmented, flabellate antennae adapted for detecting female sex pheromones. The species was first documented to be attracted to prionic acid lures in 2015, representing a significant finding for the genus. It is considered uncommonly collected and appears to have a relatively restricted distribution compared to other Prionus species.
Speyeria idalia
regal fritillary
Speyeria idalia, commonly known as the regal fritillary, is a prairie-obligate butterfly species native to North America. The species has experienced severe population declines, with abundance and occupied range reduced by over 99% due to tallgrass prairie loss and degradation. Populations are now largely restricted to isolated remnant prairie patches, primarily in the Flint Hills ecoregion of Kansas and scattered sites across the Midwest. The species is under consideration for protection under the Endangered Species Act and serves as an indicator for grassland ecosystem health.