New Distribution Records for Melanoplus punctulatus (Scudder) in Western Nebraska and Notes on Behavior

Abstract

ABSTRACT Since the discovery of Melanoplus punctulatus (Scudder) in the western Great Plains in Dawes County, Nebraska in 2014, this grasshopper was later found in northeastern Wyoming in 2018. In 2019 this grasshopper was found in a new county in western Nebraska (Sioux County) at two locations. The Sioux County record represents only the fifth county record for Nebraska and the third county record for any state in the western Great Plains. In addition, many observations of the behavior of this species were made, and are discussed here, particularly in regard to thermoregulation and to how these and other behaviors affect our ability to detect new populations.