Thermal-ecology
Guides
Arphia
band-winged grasshoppers
Arphia is a genus of band-winged grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, containing at least 11 described species distributed across western North America. The genus is characterized by species with brightly colored hind wings—typically red, yellow, or orange—that are concealed at rest but displayed during flight. Several species are notable for producing audible crepitation sounds by snapping their wings together during courtship and territorial displays. Members occupy diverse grassland habitats from lowland prairies to high-elevation mountain meadows.
Arphia conspersa
Speckle-winged Rangeland Grasshopper, Speckled Rangeland Grasshopper
Arphia conspersa is a large band-winged grasshopper (family Acrididae, subfamily Oedipodinae) distributed across western North America from Alaska to Mexico. Adults are active primarily in spring, distinguishing them seasonally from the related redwinged grasshopper (Arphia pseudonietana) which appears in late summer and fall. The species exhibits distinctive visual and acoustical courtship displays, with males performing aggregation flights accompanied by crackling crepitation. It inhabits diverse grassland habitats including prairies, desert shrub communities, and montane meadows up to 11,000 feet elevation.
Euryurus
flat-backed millipede
Euryurus is a genus of flat-backed millipedes in the family Euryuridae, containing approximately 14 described species. These millipedes are endemic to the Nearctic region and are commonly found in forested habitats. The genus has been subject to ecological research, particularly regarding thermal tolerance in Euryurus leachii, which has a critical thermal maximum of approximately 40.5°C.
Orconectes rusticus
Rusty Crayfish
Orconectes rusticus, commonly known as the rusty crayfish, is a freshwater crayfish native to the Ohio River basin in the United States. The species has become a highly successful invasive organism in northern lakes and streams across North America, where it displaces native crayfish through aggressive behavioral dominance. Research has documented its capacity for learned associations involving predator cues, complex social recognition systems using chemical signals, and flexible spatial learning. The species' invasion success stems from a combination of behavioral traits including high aggression, broad habitat tolerance, and efficient resource utilization.
invasive-speciesaggressive-behaviorchemical-communicationfreshwater-crayfishsecond-order-conditioningecosystem-impactrange-expansionbehavioral-ecologyspecies-displacementpredator-learningagonistic-behaviorthermal-ecologydetritivorebenthic-invertebratedecapod-crustaceanGreat-Lakes-invasivebait-introductionurine-communicationself-assessmentspatial-memoryPseudochironomus richardsoni
A non-biting midge species in the family Chironomidae, first described by Malloch in 1915. Laboratory studies demonstrate strong phenotypic plasticity in growth and development in response to food quality and thermal conditions. The species exhibits compensatory growth capacity, maintaining development rates under thermal stress when high-quality food is available.
Tetramorium tsushimae
Japanese pavement ant
Tetramorium tsushimae, commonly known as the Japanese pavement ant, is a small myrmicine ant native to Asia that has become invasive in North America. Workers are approximately 2.5 mm in length. The species exhibits both monogyne and polygyne colony structures and is known for its territorial behavior, with colonies competing for high-temperature nesting sites to rear reproductives. It has been extensively used as a laboratory surrogate for the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) in toxicity and control studies. The species displays notable cadaveric behaviors on animal remains, creating scratched scars, mounds, and soil-covered nests that have forensic implications.