September 12th, 2006
the phenological grasshopper
If you’ve been following my blog for awhile, you’ll know that I’m interested in phenology — the study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena. I’ve written about it in the past and you can see other posts by clicking on “Phenology” in the categories section of the sidebar. Today’s post pertains to the kind of observation that I try to record, usually through photographs.
Yesterday, Sept. 11, Don and I were hiking up in Baird Woods in Lanark. While walking across the long boardwalk over the wetland, I noticed several Pinetree Spurthroated Grasshoppers (Melanoplus punctulatus), ovipositing in cracks in the wooden railings. I shot a few photos, including the one above (click on images for larger views).
Of particular interest to me, is that I’ve seen this species laying eggs on the wooden steps of our front porch around the same date for several years now. In fact, the grasshopper in the photo below, was photographed ovipositing on Sept. 11, 2004. I photographed another on the front steps on Sept 15, 2005. I’d need many more records to be fairly certain that this species does most of its egg-laying right around this date, but with even a few records from the farm and elsewhere, I’m fairly confident that I’d find this is probably just about the optimal time to watch for egg-laying activity by this species.
So, what use is this kind of data other than to study grasshopper behaviour? Combined with other similar observations, gradual changes in dates of certain events help us to understand such things as shifts in the length of the seasons. It is just such records that scientists are now studying as they try to get a better handle on climate change. Interesting stuff, isn’t it?
Tags: Phenology, Pinetree Spurthroated Grasshopper, Melanoplus punctulatus
September 12th, 2006 at 2:19 pm
It would take a great deal of patience to monitor this kind of data over many years. Your photos are so revealing and wonderful. What camera do you use? (Forgive me if I missed this info on your blog somewhere.)
September 12th, 2006 at 2:26 pm
Ruth – I have 2 cameras – both of them are models of Nikon Coolpix. The older is the CP4500, and the more recent camera is a CP8800. I use the CP8800 for most of my work now, but still like the CP4500 for certain kinds of shots, especially of very small insects. And yes, it does take patience to monitor data from year to year. I’m not that great at keeping notes, so I depend more on my photographs which I organize by date and place.
September 12th, 2006 at 2:58 pm
I was out photographing grasshoppers the other day too! One was on our window and looked to be just posing for the camera. I have not watched grasshoppers closely enough to see if this is the season that they oviposit. They leap away so quickly, I never get close enough to see what’s going on. You must have an incredibly quiet approach. I’m not heavy-footed, but they always know I’m arriving.
September 12th, 2006 at 3:44 pm
Robin – Grasshoppers like to bask and are sometimes reluctant to leave a good spot, so that’s often a good time to photograph them. Also, most that are laying eggs will not move away when approached. Last year, we had a bit of a problem with a grasshopper that decided to lay eggs about a foot outside the front door of the house. It seemed that it took her forever and she didn’t want to be relocated (I moved her a couple of times as I was afraid that Sabrina would step on her). As for my approach, friends tease me a bit about being the “insect whisperer” as most insects seem very quiet and unafraid around me. I like to think that maybe I just send out good vibes!
September 13th, 2006 at 4:14 pm
Thanks for the information about your cameras.
September 21st, 2006 at 8:08 pm
I love a writer confident and knowledgable enough to use the verb “ovipositing”!
January 18th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
That is a nice example that you give.
A redwing grasshopper in the north shows how much heat was available in the fall and spring.
http://people.uleth.ca/~dan.johnson/htm/arphia04.htm
Other species in the north vary in their phenology but can be used to show differences among years:
http://people.uleth.ca/~dan.johnson/htm/update04.htm
January 18th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
Dan – Thanks very much for commenting on this post and leaving links back to your webpages. Very interesting stuff. I’ve just created a new post linked to your pages.