Presenter(s)
Ali Gronquist and Lucia Freund
Abstract
Spur-throated grasshoppers (genus Melanoplus) are a common agricultural pest in North America. Spur-throated grasshoppers are also a common host to several parasitic organisms. Horsehair worms (phylum Nematomorpha) are parasitic organisms known for their ability to manipulate the behavior of its insect host, particularly grasshoppers and crickets, by urging the host to enter water so it can complete its life cycle. Along with being a host to parasitic worms, they are a frequent target of grasshopper mites. Grasshopper mites (Eutrombidium locustarum) is a short-lived parasite that can negatively influence the reproductive ability of their host. Because grasshoppers are a major agricultural pest, gaining a better understanding of possible natural regulators, species present, and the life history trends could influence management and sustainable agriculture in the future. This study examines the frequency of parasitic prevalence in local grasshopper populations and across different ecosystems. Sixty-five grasshoppers were collected across three Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), one near a pond, one near a stream, and one within a prairie. The collected grasshoppers were identified, sexed, and dissected in lab to evaluate the frequency of parasites. Species were found to be Melanoplus femurrubrum, Melanoplus differentialis, and Melanoplus sanguinipes. Of the 65, 29 were found to be female and 36 to be male. We hypothesized that females would be more negatively impacted by parasite presence than males and that infection frequency would be greater in proximity to water. Currently, 2 females have been observed to have worms near water, and 2 males and 1 female have had mites near water. The prairie location is in its final stage of being studied but shows no parasites.
College
College of Science & Engineering
Department
Biology
Campus
Winona
First Advisor/Mentor
Kimberly Bates
Location
Kryzsko Great River Ballroom, Winona, Minnesota; United States
Start Date
4-23-2026 2:00 PM
End Date
4-23-2026 3:00 PM
Presentation Type
Poster Session
Format of Presentation or Performance
In-Person
Session
2b=2pm-3pm
Poster Number
22
Parasite prevalence in local grasshopper populations
Kryzsko Great River Ballroom, Winona, Minnesota; United States
Spur-throated grasshoppers (genus Melanoplus) are a common agricultural pest in North America. Spur-throated grasshoppers are also a common host to several parasitic organisms. Horsehair worms (phylum Nematomorpha) are parasitic organisms known for their ability to manipulate the behavior of its insect host, particularly grasshoppers and crickets, by urging the host to enter water so it can complete its life cycle. Along with being a host to parasitic worms, they are a frequent target of grasshopper mites. Grasshopper mites (Eutrombidium locustarum) is a short-lived parasite that can negatively influence the reproductive ability of their host. Because grasshoppers are a major agricultural pest, gaining a better understanding of possible natural regulators, species present, and the life history trends could influence management and sustainable agriculture in the future. This study examines the frequency of parasitic prevalence in local grasshopper populations and across different ecosystems. Sixty-five grasshoppers were collected across three Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), one near a pond, one near a stream, and one within a prairie. The collected grasshoppers were identified, sexed, and dissected in lab to evaluate the frequency of parasites. Species were found to be Melanoplus femurrubrum, Melanoplus differentialis, and Melanoplus sanguinipes. Of the 65, 29 were found to be female and 36 to be male. We hypothesized that females would be more negatively impacted by parasite presence than males and that infection frequency would be greater in proximity to water. Currently, 2 females have been observed to have worms near water, and 2 males and 1 female have had mites near water. The prairie location is in its final stage of being studied but shows no parasites.
