Willey-Willey grasshopper census method (Acrididae)

Knowledge graph centered on Willey-Willey grasshopper census method (Acrididae) with 65 nodes and 138 connections. Top connected: Marmota flaviventris, Spruce, Potentilla, Populus, Populus tremuloides.

Method synopsis

Systematic walking surveys through grasshopper habitat to count and score individuals for wing color morphs (orange vs yellow) across multiple populations and years. Researchers targeted 100 individuals per deme using non-repeating spatial patterns.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 2 papers using this protocol.

Procedure from a recent peer-reviewed implementation

Steps below were extracted from the most recent peer-reviewed implementation of this protocol in the corpus — Barriers to gene flow in natural populations of grasshoppers. II. Maintenance of narrow hybrid-zones between morphs of Arphia conspersa on Black Mesa, Colorado (1971), Psyche. Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

1. Census population surveys
   Walked through grasshopper habitat in a non-repeating spatial pattern, scoring each insect as it flew up by wing color (orange, yellow, or intermediate morph). Recorded location using U.S. Geological Survey 7-1/2 minute topographic maps.
   Quantities: Effort made to count 100 individuals per contiguous population (200 preferably), minimum counts of 10 recorded. Nearly all populations censused at least once, some up to 10 times.Duration: Conducted over 6 years of study (1964-1971), with populations censused multiple times per yearConditions: During adult flight period, walking surveys in grassland habitat
   Equipment: U.S. Geological Survey 7-1/2 minute topographic maps

Typical Equipment

• U.S. Geological Survey 7.5-minute topographic maps
• field data sheets

Output Measurements

• wing color frequencies
• population sizes
• morph ratios

Papers Using This Protocol (2)

Species Studied With This Protocol