Tag Archives: grasshopper

Photo of the Week – October 26, 2012

Posted on October 26, 2012 by

The plains lubber (Brachystola magna) is Nebraska’s largest grasshopper.  At about 2 1/4 inches long, and brightly colored, it’s hard to mistake for other species.  In fact, of the 108 grasshopper species in Nebraska, the plains lubber is the only one … Continue reading →

Posted in Prairie Insects, Prairie Natural History, Prairie Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Photo of the Week – The Prairie Ecologist

Posted on October 6, 2011 by

Grasshoppers are a major ecological force in prairies.  They’re also fascinating creatures when you really look at them closely. To many gardeners, farmers, and ranchers, grasshoppers are seen as an adversary.  Unfortunately, that categorization ignores a much more complex story.  First of … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Prairie Insects, Prairie Natural History, Prairie Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Photo of the Week – September 9, 2011

Posted on September 9, 2011 by

This week our Platte River Prairies are in full autumn regalia.  Everywhere you look, big yellow composite flowers, especially sunflowers and goldenrods, dominate the visual landscape.  At least 15 different species of yellow flowers are blooming right now.  They are set … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Prairie Insects, Prairie Natural History, Prairie Photography, Prairie Plants, Prairie Restoration/Reconstruction | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Photo of the Week – April 7, 2011

Posted on April 8, 2011 by

This poor light-colored grasshopper nymph was nicely camouflaged against the dormant grass in this prairie until a prescribed fire drastically changed its surroundings.  This nymph was fortunate to survive the fire, but will now have a bit more trouble hiding … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Prairie Insects, Prairie Management, Prairie Natural History, Prairie Photography | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Photo of the Week – March 3, 2011

Posted on March 3, 2011 by

 Katydids are a diverse group of species – about 243 different species reside in the U.S. and Canada.  We have about the same number of katydid species as we do grasshopper species in our Platte River Prairies, but grasshoppers tend … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Prairie Insects, Prairie Natural History, Prairie Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Photo of the Week – February 10, 2011

Posted on February 10, 2011 by

I found this molting grasshopper nymph as I was walking through one of our restored prairies a couple summers ago.  Grasshoppers go through “incomplete metamorphosis” as they mature, meaning that they hatch from an egg as nymphs that look much … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Prairie Insects, Prairie Natural History, Prairie Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Photo of the Week – November 19, 2010

Posted on November 19, 2010 by

I’ve always thought that camouflage is one of the more intriguing aspects of the natural world.  It’s one of the easiest ways for me to visualize natural selection working – genetic mutations that occasionally (but extremely rarely) lead to changes … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Prairie Insects, Prairie Natural History, Prairie Photography | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments