Grasshopper populations inhabiting the B-C Cribs and REDOX Pond Sites, 200 Area Plateau, United States Energy Research and Development Administration's Hanford Reservation
The purpose of this study was to determine the taxonomic composition, abundance, and food habits of grasshopper populations inhabiting the 200 Area plateau. Two sites were selected for detailed study, one near the B-C Cribs control zone and the other near the former REDOX Pond. A total of 14 grasshopper species were collected from the B-C Cribs study area and 16 species from the REDOX Pond area. Thirteen of these species occurred at both locations. Population density was low throughout most of the spring, increased in late May, and reached a peak of about 4 grasshoppers per square meter in early July. A dietary analysis showed that 7 of the 28 species of vascular plants recorded from the area were major components in grasshopper diets. These included needle-and-thread grass (Stipa comata), turpentine cymopterus (Cymopterus terebinthinus), Carey's balsamroot (Balsamorhiza careyana), western tansymustard (Descurainia pinnata), Jim Hill mustard (Sisymbrium altissimum), big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) and green rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus). The plant most heavily utilized was big sagebrush, followed by turpentine cymopterus, green rabbitbrush, and Carey's balsamroot. Other species were less frequently eaten. Several plants were present in the diet at a much higher frequency than they occurred in the environment, indicating that they were preferred food items.
- Research Organization:
- Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- E(45-1)-2130
- OSTI ID:
- 7187561
- Report Number(s):
- BNWL-1943; TRN: 76-015007
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
GRASSHOPPERS
POPULATION DENSITY
HAPO
BEHAVIOR
DIET
FOOD
GRASS
PLANTS
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
TAXONOMY
ANIMALS
ARTHROPODS
BIOLOGY
BIOMASS
ENERGY SOURCES
INSECTS
INVERTEBRATES
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
US AEC
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
VARIATIONS
550100* - Behavioral Biology
520000 - Environment
Aquatic- (-1989)