[Scientific Papers] http://www.scipapers.com    2007-11-16  

 Short-term dynamics of behavioral thermoregulation by adults of the grasshopper Melanoplus sanguinipes

Kevin M. O¡¯Neill¹ and Marni G. Rolston²

¹ Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman MT 59717
² Department of Animal and Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman MT 59717


Abstract

The short-term behavioral responses of adult grasshoppers, Melanoplus sanguinipes (F.) (Orthoptera: Acrididae), were examined after they experienced changes in microclimate when beingforced to change positions in their habitat. It was also determined if and when behavioral tactics allowed adults to achieve body temperatures within their preferred range. The preferred or set-point range, here taken as the interquartile range of temperatures selected on a laboratory thermal gradient, was estimated to be 37.4¨C40.5¡ãC. In the field, adults progressed through a relatively consistent daily sequence of behaviors, basking on the soil early in the day, but moving onto vegetation as temperatures increased. Although basking allowed grasshoppers to maximize body temperature within the available range, as much as 7¡ãC in excess of air temperature, they could not attain preferred body temperatures until soil surface temperatures reach about 35¡ãC. Basking was more effective in grazed than ungrazed pastures due to a lower degree of shading of the soil surface. As soil surface temperatures exceeded 35¡ãC, grasshoppers could achieve body temperatures within the preferred range by moving to the appropriate height on vegetation. These results illustrate the advantage of assessing behavior in the field in relation to preferred body temperatures determined in the laboratory.

Keywords: behavior, basking, orientation, habitat selection, thermal biology, thermal gradient, set point temperature, grazing
Abbreviations: LAH longitudinal axis of grasshopper in horizontal plane, T_B body temperature, T_BAR surface temperature of bar on laboratory thermal gradient, T_E operative body temperature, T_S soil surface temperature, T_SET set point range (interquartile range of the body temperatures of grasshoppers on the gradient), T_TX air temperature at thorax height


Correspondence: koneill@montana.edu

Received: 26 July 2006 | Accepted: 2 November 2006 | Published: 4 May 2007

Copyright: This is an open access paper. We use the Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 license that permits unrestricted use, provided that the paper is properly attributed.  

ISSN: 1536-2442 | Volume 7, Number 27


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