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Taeniopoda eques

January 01, 1970

Taeniopoda eques, the western horse lubber grasshopper, is a relatively large grasshopper species of the family Romaleidae found in arid and semi-arid parts of southwestern United States to central and southwestern Mexico.[1][2] Most populations are identifiable by their shiny black bodies with contrasting yellow markings, but some adults (frequent in parts of Mexico, rare in the United States) are mostly yellowish, orangish or greenish. The species is unique in using its black coloration to thermoregulate and in being chemically defended. The aposematic coloration warns vertebrate predators of its unpalatability and allows the grasshopper to roost conspicuously upon shrubs.[3][4]

Taeniopoda eques
Adult female
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Orthoptera
Suborder: Caelifera
Family: Romaleidae
Genus: Taeniopoda
Species:
T. eques
Binomial name
Taeniopoda eques

Etymology edit

T. eques was first described by Hermann Burmeister in 1838.[5] The vernacular lubber refers to the flightless terrestrial status of the subfamily Romaleinae.[4] Eques is the Latin term for "horseman".[6]

Distribution and habitat edit

T. eques is endemic to the United States and Mexico. In the United States, it ranges from the Chihuahuan Desert in southeastern Arizona, through southern New Mexico, to the Big Bend region of southwestern Texas.[3][7][8] In Mexico, it ranges from the US border through the Mexican Plateau, Sierra Madre Oriental, the Transvolcanic Belt and along the country's Pacific coastal region south to Guerrero.[2][9] Although occasionally reported as also occurring in Central American countries further south,[9] this involves other species in the genus.[2] It can occur at elevations of up to more than 2,150 m (7,050 ft) above sea level.[2]

Its main habitats are arid and semi-arid brush and grassland, but it may also occur in oak savanna and woodland. It can be found among Acacia, Mimosa, Ephedra and Yucca shrubs.[3][8] The Chihuahuan Desert receives a high amount of summer precipitation compared to other deserts, which is necessary for the grasshopper's development.[1]

Description edit

 
Mating pair in New Mexico. Note male's smaller size but relatively longer wings

T. eques and Romalea microptera (eastern lubber grasshopper), which are so closely related that they can interbreed in captivity (their natural ranges do not overlap), are the largest grasshoppers in the United States.[10] Females of T. eques typically are 4–7.1 cm (1.6–2.8 in) long and males typically are 3.3–5.8 cm (1.3–2.3 in) long.[1][11] Adult females can weigh up to around 9 g (0.32 oz) and adult males up to around 3 g (0.11 oz).[3][10]

Males stridulate more commonly than females by expanding the hindwings against the closed forewings, thus flashing the bright red hindwings.[3] It is unique among desert grasshoppers in its range because of its conspicuous size and coloring. The body is mostly black, with finely patterned black and yellow forewings with green veins and red hindwings with black borders. The antennae and head of the adult include orange markings.[12] In some parts of Mexico, adults that are mostly yellowish, orangish or greenish (instead of largely black) are regularly encountered, but in the United States they are rare and most frequently seen in Arizona.[7][9] The T. eques nymph essentially lacks wings and has a black-and-yellow coloration that resembles that of the adult.[1] Dark adults and nymphs of Romalea microptera (eastern lubber grasshopper) are similar to and frequently confused with T. eques. Their ranges are not known to overlap but they could potentially come into contact in southern Texas; R. microptera has an eastern distribution in the state and T. eques a western distribution in the state.[2][7]

Adults of both sexes have wings and in the male the forewings normally extend past the tip of the abdomen.[12] However, most T. eques cannot fly; all females are flightless and only approximately 10 percent of adult males possess wings long enough for flight.[13]

Diet edit

Taeniopoda eques does not feed on the same plants it roosts on. In an experiment, it was found to be unable to survive on Acacia and Mimosa shrubs alone. It feeds mainly on foliage, flowers, and seed pods of low-growing summer desert annuals. T. eques only forages during daylight hours; at night it roosts near the tops of desert shrubs to hide from nocturnal ground predators. At dawn, it descends to the desert floor to feed on the annual plant species which are abundant following summer rains. T. eques drink free-standing water from raindrops.[3][4][12] T. eques is known to be polyphagous, and also consumes a variety of other material, including spider silk and feces. It is an opportunistic carnivore and can occasionally be found scavenging for insect and vertebrate cadavers. It can detect odors to find mammal and insect carcasses, which may provide a source of protein and nitrogen in the diet. The female is more likely engage in scavenger behavior than the male T. eques. This difference may be explained by the female's greater need for protein and other nutrients to facilitate more rapid maturation and egg production. Cannibalism has been observed upon molting or incapacitated individuals of its own species.[14]

Life cycle edit

 
A nymph in southern Arizona

Taeniopoda eques is univoltine, producing only one brood of offspring per year. Females lay eggs at the base of shrubs or large rocks, depositing the approximately 50 eggs in a single pod 4-8 centimeters deep into the soil. The females also eject a liquid with the eggs, which dries and forms a hard case protecting the egg pod. In the United States, eggs are deposited in subterranean egg pods in October. The number of egg pods laid is dependent upon the rate of development in the adults and the time available before the frost sets in. The grasshoppers reach maturity in October and die in November during the winter freeze.[3] Thermoregulation is necessary for speeding the development of T. eques to increase its reproductive chances before the favorable growing season ends.[13]

Along with the onset of the summer rainy season, the young hatch in synchrony from subterranean egg pods in July. The larvae are especially vulnerable to predatory ants for about the first three minutes after hatching. After shedding the provisional cuticle, the larvae climb up the nearest vertical object. They are born reddish in color, but transform to black within two hours.[3]

Despite its large size, T. eques has a relatively speedy rate of larval development, undergoing five nymphal molts to reach the adult stage in about 40 days. Recently molted individuals are brown but darken within two hours at warm temperatures. Temperature influences whether they can complete the molting process. At temperatures less than 25 °C, molting is usually not initiated. At temperatures above 36 °C, they can become stuck in old exoskeletons. Individuals are exposed to predation and sibling cannibalism during molting. T. eques is different from other aposematic grasshoppers in its asynchronous molting.[3]

Mating begins about 12 days after maturity, and about 30 days after the adults molt, females begin laying egg pods each containing about 50 eggs. Egg pods are deposited 6 to 9 centimeters underground. Females continue to lay subsequent egg pods at 18-day intervals until they are killed by the freeze in November.[3]

Behavior edit

Thermoregulation edit

Thermoregulation is necessary for all essential life functions of T. eques and most other behaviors, including food consumption and digestion, predator escape, reproduction, walking, flying, and ovipositing. The desert environment of T. eques is often unpredictable and allows the grasshopper only about four months, the time between the onset of the summer rains and the arrival of the winter freeze, to complete its entire life cycle. Growth and development are further slowed by cold desert nights, and in October, cold days. T. eques speed development by solar basking, aided by its black heat-absorbing coloration. By thermoregulating, the grasshopper can maintain an optimal body temperature between 30 and 40 degrees Celsius for most of the day. Elevating body temperature for extended periods allows T. eques to metabolize faster, thus permitting maximum growth and reproduction before the onset of winter.[13][15] Without thermoregulation, T. eques could not survive in its northern range.[13]

The unique black coloration of T. eques is thermally beneficial, contributing to the species' shorter larval development compared to the light- colored desert grasshoppers. T. eques has also developed behavioral thermoregulatory mechanisms for sunlight exposure. Flanking occurs when the grasshopper orients its body perpendicular to sunlight, maximizing thoracic heat gain. The sun-side hindleg is lowered, the shade-side hindleg is raised, and the abdomen is lowered to reduce wing shading. Moving into the centers of bushes allows for shading to limit sun exposure at midday to prevent overheating.[3][13]

Defense edit

 
Most individuals have wings that are too small for flight, but they sometimes flash the red colors as a warning

Ants regularly attack hatching and molting nymphs. Vertebrates sharing the habitat of T. eques rarely disturb horse lubbers and prefer other lubber grasshopper species instead. Only invertebrates and grasshopper mice have been shown to be undeterred by adult T. eques toxicity.[3] However, most predatory invertebrates are unable to catch and kill adult T. eques because of their relatively large size.[10]

T. eques possesses a multi-sensory defense system. The chemical secretion has a strong coffee-vanilla odor and composed of a complex mixture of synthesized phenolics and plant toxins produced from the grasshopper's diet.[3] When consumed, the toxic tissues of T. eques cause vomiting or death in predators.[16] The species relies on a comprehensive aposematic display containing chemical deterrents, and visual and auditory elements for defense against vertebrate predators. For example, when attacked by mice, the grasshoppers spray the odorous secretion from their metathoracic spiracles while producing a hissing noise. The secretion surrounds the insect in a noxious deterrent cloud. Adults also turn sideways to predators and display their bright red hindwings while waving their bright antennae and spiny hindlegs in a threatening manner. Together these signals warn naïve predators and remind experienced predators of the grasshopper's toxicity.[3][16]

Social behavior edit

In the first stage of life, pod mates aggregate and move and feed together, but disperse after a few days. Aggregation is tightest in this first-instar period and may be a method of defense for the vulnerable developing grasshoppers. Thereafter they are solitary, although mature T. eques are attracted to the largest bush at dusk which provides the appearance of clumping. This behavior may provide benefits of increasing opportunities for mating and enhancing aposematic displays against predators.[3]

Sexual behavior and pheromones edit

Both sexes of mature T. eques engage in promiscuous behavior. Males are sexually aggressive, actively mounting females and males of the species as well as individuals from other grasshopper and lizard species.[3]

Males cautiously stalk females before suddenly mounting without any communicatory leg or wing signaling. Females react violently when mounted by jumping, kicking, running, and rotating from side to side.[17] However, immediately following copulation, females become docile and carry males on their backs. Males do not guard ovipositing females.[3]

The female T. eques releases a pheromone that elicits male attraction and sexual behavior over a short distance. Male T. eques can remain in copulation for up to 24 hours, continuously passing spermatophores to the female.[17][18]

Trait interaction edit

Multiple phenotypic traits interact in T. eques since chemical defense from vertebrates releases the species from the need to be small and hidden. Thus T. eques has evolved a large body size, to increase fecundity, deter small invertebrate predators, increase water retention, and allow for deep ovipositing. However, the large adult size requires long development and growth, which is difficult in its short season. It speeds growth by thermoregulation mechanisms including dark color and solar exposure positions, both allowed only because of chemical defense. These features cause T. eques to be conspicuous; however, chemical deterrents protect it against predators. The species can allocate resources to reproduction instead of wings and flight muscles. As with many other chemically defended insects, T. eques is mostly flightless and sluggish.[13][16]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Hebard, M. (1925). "The group Taeniopodae as found in the United States (Orthoptera)". Transactions of the American Entomological Society. 51 (1): 1–12.
  2. ^ a b c d e Jesús-Bonilla, V.S.D.; Barrientos-Lozano, L.; Zaldívar-Riverón, A (2023). "Taxonomic revision of the transitional Nearctic-Neotropical lubber grasshopper genus Romalea (Orthoptera: Romaleidae)". Rev. Mex. Biodiv. 94.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Whitman, D.W. & Orsak, L. (1985). "Biology of Taeniopoda eques (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in southeastern Arizona". Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 78 (6): 811–825. doi:10.1093/aesa/78.6.811.
  4. ^ a b c Hogue, Charles (1993). Latin American Insects and Entomology. University of California Press. ISBN 9780520078499. Retrieved 2011-04-27. Latin American Insects and Entomology hogue.
  5. ^ Otte, Daniel (1995). Orthoptera Species File 4. The Orthopterists' Society and the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. p. 518. ISBN 0-9640101-5-1. Retrieved 2011-04-28.
  6. ^ Encyclopædia Britannica (2011). "Eques". World Wide Web electronic publication. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Retrieved 2011-04-28.
  7. ^ a b c "Species Taeniopoda eques - Horse Lubber". bugguide.net. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  8. ^ a b Rehn, J.A.G. & Grant, H.J. (1961). Monograph of the Orthoptera of North America (North of Mexico). Vol. 1. Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. p. 255. OL 16341758M.
  9. ^ a b c "Chapulines de Importancia Económica en México" (PDF). Dirección General de Sanidad Vegetal Dirección del Cento National de Referencia Fitosanitaria, Government of Mexico. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  10. ^ a b c Whitman, D.; Vincent, S. (2008). "Large size as an antipredator defense in an insect". Journal of Orthoptera Research. 17 (2): 353–371. doi:10.1665/1082-6467-17.2.353.
  11. ^ Hebard, M. (1924). "A Revision of the Genus Taeniopoda (Orthoptera, Acrididae, Cyrtacanthacrinae)". Transactions of the American Entomological Society. 50 (4): 253–274.
  12. ^ a b c Capinera, John (2004). Field Guide to Grasshoppers, Crickets, and Katydids of the United States. Cornell University Press. ISBN 0-8014-8948-2. Retrieved 2011-04-28.
  13. ^ a b c d e f Whitman, D.W. (1988). "Function and evolution of thermoregulation in the desert grasshopper Taeniopoda eques". Journal of Animal Ecology. 57 (2): 369–383. doi:10.2307/4911. JSTOR 4911.
  14. ^ Whitman, D.W. & Richardson, M.L. (2010). "Necrophagy in grasshoppers: Taeniopoda eques feeds on mammal carrion". Journal of Orthoptera Research. 19 (2): 377–380. doi:10.1665/034.019.0228. S2CID 85309532.
  15. ^ Hamilton, W.J. (1975). Hadley, N.F. (ed.). "Coloration and its thermal consequences for diurnal desert insects". Environmental Physiology of Desert Organisms. Stroudsburg, PA: Dowden, Hutchinson & Ross: 67–89.
  16. ^ a b c Whitman, D.W. & Vincent, S. (2008). "Large size as an antipredator defense in an insect". Journal of Orthoptera Research. 17 (2): 353–371. doi:10.1665/1082-6467-17.2.353. S2CID 85159286.
  17. ^ a b Whitman, D.W. (1982). "Grasshopper sexual pheromone: a component of the defensive secretion in Taeniopoda eques". Physiological Entomology. 7 (1): 111–115. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3032.1982.tb00672.x. S2CID 85324838.
  18. ^ Whitman, D.W. & Loher, W. (1984). "Morphology of male sex organs and insemination in the grasshopper Taeniopoda eques (Burmeister) Grasshopper sexual pheromone: a component of the defensive secretion in Taeniopoda eques". Journal of Morphology. 179 (1): 1–12. doi:10.1002/jmor.1051790102. PMID 30025432. S2CID 51703308.

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Taeniopoda eques.
  • Encyclopedia of Life Taeniopoda eques

January 01, 1970
taeniopoda, eques, western, horse, lubber, grasshopper, relatively, large, grasshopper, species, family, romaleidae, found, arid, semi, arid, parts, southwestern, united, states, central, southwestern, mexico, most, populations, identifiable, their, shiny, bla. Taeniopoda eques the western horse lubber grasshopper is a relatively large grasshopper species of the family Romaleidae found in arid and semi arid parts of southwestern United States to central and southwestern Mexico 1 2 Most populations are identifiable by their shiny black bodies with contrasting yellow markings but some adults frequent in parts of Mexico rare in the United States are mostly yellowish orangish or greenish The species is unique in using its black coloration to thermoregulate and in being chemically defended The aposematic coloration warns vertebrate predators of its unpalatability and allows the grasshopper to roost conspicuously upon shrubs 3 4 Taeniopoda eques Adult female Scientific classification Domain Eukaryota Kingdom Animalia Phylum Arthropoda Class Insecta Order Orthoptera Suborder Caelifera Family Romaleidae Genus Taeniopoda Species T eques Binomial name Taeniopoda equesBurmeister 1838 Contents 1 Etymology 2 Distribution and habitat 3 Description 4 Diet 5 Life cycle 6 Behavior 6 1 Thermoregulation 6 2 Defense 6 3 Social behavior 6 4 Sexual behavior and pheromones 6 5 Trait interaction 7 References 8 External linksEtymology editT eques was first described by Hermann Burmeister in 1838 5 The vernacular lubber refers to the flightless terrestrial status of the subfamily Romaleinae 4 Eques is the Latin term for horseman 6 Distribution and habitat editT eques is endemic to the United States and Mexico In the United States it ranges from the Chihuahuan Desert in southeastern Arizona through southern New Mexico to the Big Bend region of southwestern Texas 3 7 8 In Mexico it ranges from the US border through the Mexican Plateau Sierra Madre Oriental the Transvolcanic Belt and along the country s Pacific coastal region south to Guerrero 2 9 Although occasionally reported as also occurring in Central American countries further south 9 this involves other species in the genus 2 It can occur at elevations of up to more than 2 150 m 7 050 ft above sea level 2 Its main habitats are arid and semi arid brush and grassland but it may also occur in oak savanna and woodland It can be found among Acacia Mimosa Ephedra and Yucca shrubs 3 8 The Chihuahuan Desert receives a high amount of summer precipitation compared to other deserts which is necessary for the grasshopper s development 1 Description edit nbsp Mating pair in New Mexico Note male s smaller size but relatively longer wings T eques and Romalea microptera eastern lubber grasshopper which are so closely related that they can interbreed in captivity their natural ranges do not overlap are the largest grasshoppers in the United States 10 Females of T eques typically are 4 7 1 cm 1 6 2 8 in long and males typically are 3 3 5 8 cm 1 3 2 3 in long 1 11 Adult females can weigh up to around 9 g 0 32 oz and adult males up to around 3 g 0 11 oz 3 10 Males stridulate more commonly than females by expanding the hindwings against the closed forewings thus flashing the bright red hindwings 3 It is unique among desert grasshoppers in its range because of its conspicuous size and coloring The body is mostly black with finely patterned black and yellow forewings with green veins and red hindwings with black borders The antennae and head of the adult include orange markings 12 In some parts of Mexico adults that are mostly yellowish orangish or greenish instead of largely black are regularly encountered but in the United States they are rare and most frequently seen in Arizona 7 9 The T eques nymph essentially lacks wings and has a black and yellow coloration that resembles that of the adult 1 Dark adults and nymphs of Romalea microptera eastern lubber grasshopper are similar to and frequently confused with T eques Their ranges are not known to overlap but they could potentially come into contact in southern Texas R microptera has an eastern distribution in the state and T eques a western distribution in the state 2 7 Adults of both sexes have wings and in the male the forewings normally extend past the tip of the abdomen 12 However most T eques cannot fly all females are flightless and only approximately 10 percent of adult males possess wings long enough for flight 13 Diet editTaeniopoda eques does not feed on the same plants it roosts on In an experiment it was found to be unable to survive on Acacia and Mimosa shrubs alone It feeds mainly on foliage flowers and seed pods of low growing summer desert annuals T eques only forages during daylight hours at night it roosts near the tops of desert shrubs to hide from nocturnal ground predators At dawn it descends to the desert floor to feed on the annual plant species which are abundant following summer rains T eques drink free standing water from raindrops 3 4 12 T eques is known to be polyphagous and also consumes a variety of other material including spider silk and feces It is an opportunistic carnivore and can occasionally be found scavenging for insect and vertebrate cadavers It can detect odors to find mammal and insect carcasses which may provide a source of protein and nitrogen in the diet The female is more likely engage in scavenger behavior than the male T eques This difference may be explained by the female s greater need for protein and other nutrients to facilitate more rapid maturation and egg production Cannibalism has been observed upon molting or incapacitated individuals of its own species 14 Life cycle edit nbsp A nymph in southern Arizona Taeniopoda eques is univoltine producing only one brood of offspring per year Females lay eggs at the base of shrubs or large rocks depositing the approximately 50 eggs in a single pod 4 8 centimeters deep into the soil The females also eject a liquid with the eggs which dries and forms a hard case protecting the egg pod In the United States eggs are deposited in subterranean egg pods in October The number of egg pods laid is dependent upon the rate of development in the adults and the time available before the frost sets in The grasshoppers reach maturity in October and die in November during the winter freeze 3 Thermoregulation is necessary for speeding the development of T eques to increase its reproductive chances before the favorable growing season ends 13 Along with the onset of the summer rainy season the young hatch in synchrony from subterranean egg pods in July The larvae are especially vulnerable to predatory ants for about the first three minutes after hatching After shedding the provisional cuticle the larvae climb up the nearest vertical object They are born reddish in color but transform to black within two hours 3 Despite its large size T eques has a relatively speedy rate of larval development undergoing five nymphal molts to reach the adult stage in about 40 days Recently molted individuals are brown but darken within two hours at warm temperatures Temperature influences whether they can complete the molting process At temperatures less than 25 C molting is usually not initiated At temperatures above 36 C they can become stuck in old exoskeletons Individuals are exposed to predation and sibling cannibalism during molting T eques is different from other aposematic grasshoppers in its asynchronous molting 3 Mating begins about 12 days after maturity and about 30 days after the adults molt females begin laying egg pods each containing about 50 eggs Egg pods are deposited 6 to 9 centimeters underground Females continue to lay subsequent egg pods at 18 day intervals until they are killed by the freeze in November 3 Behavior editThermoregulation edit Thermoregulation is necessary for all essential life functions of T eques and most other behaviors including food consumption and digestion predator escape reproduction walking flying and ovipositing The desert environment of T eques is often unpredictable and allows the grasshopper only about four months the time between the onset of the summer rains and the arrival of the winter freeze to complete its entire life cycle Growth and development are further slowed by cold desert nights and in October cold days T eques speed development by solar basking aided by its black heat absorbing coloration By thermoregulating the grasshopper can maintain an optimal body temperature between 30 and 40 degrees Celsius for most of the day Elevating body temperature for extended periods allows T eques to metabolize faster thus permitting maximum growth and reproduction before the onset of winter 13 15 Without thermoregulation T eques could not survive in its northern range 13 The unique black coloration of T eques is thermally beneficial contributing to the species shorter larval development compared to the light colored desert grasshoppers T eques has also developed behavioral thermoregulatory mechanisms for sunlight exposure Flanking occurs when the grasshopper orients its body perpendicular to sunlight maximizing thoracic heat gain The sun side hindleg is lowered the shade side hindleg is raised and the abdomen is lowered to reduce wing shading Moving into the centers of bushes allows for shading to limit sun exposure at midday to prevent overheating 3 13 Defense edit nbsp Most individuals have wings that are too small for flight but they sometimes flash the red colors as a warning Ants regularly attack hatching and molting nymphs Vertebrates sharing the habitat of T eques rarely disturb horse lubbers and prefer other lubber grasshopper species instead Only invertebrates and grasshopper mice have been shown to be undeterred by adult T eques toxicity 3 However most predatory invertebrates are unable to catch and kill adult T eques because of their relatively large size 10 T eques possesses a multi sensory defense system The chemical secretion has a strong coffee vanilla odor and composed of a complex mixture of synthesized phenolics and plant toxins produced from the grasshopper s diet 3 When consumed the toxic tissues of T eques cause vomiting or death in predators 16 The species relies on a comprehensive aposematic display containing chemical deterrents and visual and auditory elements for defense against vertebrate predators For example when attacked by mice the grasshoppers spray the odorous secretion from their metathoracic spiracles while producing a hissing noise The secretion surrounds the insect in a noxious deterrent cloud Adults also turn sideways to predators and display their bright red hindwings while waving their bright antennae and spiny hindlegs in a threatening manner Together these signals warn naive predators and remind experienced predators of the grasshopper s toxicity 3 16 Social behavior edit In the first stage of life pod mates aggregate and move and feed together but disperse after a few days Aggregation is tightest in this first instar period and may be a method of defense for the vulnerable developing grasshoppers Thereafter they are solitary although mature T eques are attracted to the largest bush at dusk which provides the appearance of clumping This behavior may provide benefits of increasing opportunities for mating and enhancing aposematic displays against predators 3 Sexual behavior and pheromones edit Both sexes of mature T eques engage in promiscuous behavior Males are sexually aggressive actively mounting females and males of the species as well as individuals from other grasshopper and lizard species 3 Males cautiously stalk females before suddenly mounting without any communicatory leg or wing signaling Females react violently when mounted by jumping kicking running and rotating from side to side 17 However immediately following copulation females become docile and carry males on their backs Males do not guard ovipositing females 3 The female T eques releases a pheromone that elicits male attraction and sexual behavior over a short distance Male T eques can remain in copulation for up to 24 hours continuously passing spermatophores to the female 17 18 Trait interaction edit Multiple phenotypic traits interact in T eques since chemical defense from vertebrates releases the species from the need to be small and hidden Thus T eques has evolved a large body size to increase fecundity deter small invertebrate predators increase water retention and allow for deep ovipositing However the large adult size requires long development and growth which is difficult in its short season It speeds growth by thermoregulation mechanisms including dark color and solar exposure positions both allowed only because of chemical defense These features cause T eques to be conspicuous however chemical deterrents protect it against predators The species can allocate resources to reproduction instead of wings and flight muscles As with many other chemically defended insects T eques is mostly flightless and sluggish 13 16 References edit a b c d Hebard M 1925 The group Taeniopodae as found in the United States Orthoptera Transactions of the American Entomological Society 51 1 1 12 a b c d e Jesus Bonilla V S D Barrientos Lozano L Zaldivar Riveron A 2023 Taxonomic revision of the transitional Nearctic Neotropical lubber grasshopper genus Romalea Orthoptera Romaleidae Rev Mex Biodiv 94 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Whitman D W amp Orsak L 1985 Biology of Taeniopoda eques Orthoptera Acrididae in southeastern Arizona Annals of the Entomological Society of America 78 6 811 825 doi 10 1093 aesa 78 6 811 a b c Hogue Charles 1993 Latin American Insects and Entomology University of California Press ISBN 9780520078499 Retrieved 2011 04 27 Latin American Insects and Entomology hogue Otte Daniel 1995 Orthoptera Species File 4 The Orthopterists Society and the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia p 518 ISBN 0 9640101 5 1 Retrieved 2011 04 28 Encyclopaedia Britannica 2011 Eques World Wide Web electronic publication Encyclopaedia Britannica Online Retrieved 2011 04 28 a b c Species Taeniopoda eques Horse Lubber bugguide net Retrieved 11 August 2023 a b Rehn J A G amp Grant H J 1961 Monograph of the Orthoptera of North America North of Mexico Vol 1 Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia p 255 OL 16341758M a b c Chapulines de Importancia Economica en Mexico PDF Direccion General de Sanidad Vegetal Direccion del Cento National de Referencia Fitosanitaria Government of Mexico Retrieved 11 August 2023 a b c Whitman D Vincent S 2008 Large size as an antipredator defense in an insect Journal of Orthoptera Research 17 2 353 371 doi 10 1665 1082 6467 17 2 353 Hebard M 1924 A Revision of the Genus Taeniopoda Orthoptera Acrididae Cyrtacanthacrinae Transactions of the American Entomological Society 50 4 253 274 a b c Capinera John 2004 Field Guide to Grasshoppers Crickets and Katydids of the United States Cornell University Press ISBN 0 8014 8948 2 Retrieved 2011 04 28 a b c d e f Whitman D W 1988 Function and evolution of thermoregulation in the desert grasshopper Taeniopoda eques Journal of Animal Ecology 57 2 369 383 doi 10 2307 4911 JSTOR 4911 Whitman D W amp Richardson M L 2010 Necrophagy in grasshoppers Taeniopoda eques feeds on mammal carrion Journal of Orthoptera Research 19 2 377 380 doi 10 1665 034 019 0228 S2CID 85309532 Hamilton W J 1975 Hadley N F ed Coloration and its thermal consequences for diurnal desert insects Environmental Physiology of Desert Organisms Stroudsburg PA Dowden Hutchinson amp Ross 67 89 a b c Whitman D W amp Vincent S 2008 Large size as an antipredator defense in an insect Journal of Orthoptera Research 17 2 353 371 doi 10 1665 1082 6467 17 2 353 S2CID 85159286 a b Whitman D W 1982 Grasshopper sexual pheromone a component of the defensive secretion in Taeniopoda eques Physiological Entomology 7 1 111 115 doi 10 1111 j 1365 3032 1982 tb00672 x S2CID 85324838 Whitman D W amp Loher W 1984 Morphology of male sex organs and insemination in the grasshopper Taeniopoda eques Burmeister Grasshopper sexual pheromone a component of the defensive secretion in Taeniopoda eques Journal of Morphology 179 1 1 12 doi 10 1002 jmor 1051790102 PMID 30025432 S2CID 51703308 nbsp Insects portal nbsp Arthropods portalExternal links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Taeniopoda eques Encyclopedia of Life Taeniopoda eques Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Taeniopoda eques amp oldid 1170163580, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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