Plants and Animals
Paroxya hoosieri Hoosier locust
Key Characteristics
The Hoosier locust is a yellowish green to olive-brown grasshopper with a prosternal spine (conical projection between the front legs on the lower body surface). The tegmina (leathery front wings) are two-thirds the length of the abdomen.
Status and Rank
US Status: No Status/Not Listed
State Status: SC - Special Concern (rare or uncertain; not legally protected)
Global Rank: G5 - Secure
State Rank: S1S3
Occurrences
| County | Number of Occurrences | Year Last Observed |
|---|---|---|
| Berrien | 4 | 2015 |
| Lenawee | 1 | 1941 |
| Livingston | 1 | 1965 |
| Oakland | 1 | 2021 |
| Washtenaw | 2 | 2022 |
| Wayne | 1 | 1913 |
Information is summarized from MNFI's database of rare species and community occurrences. Data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed.
Habitat
It inhabits lush, moist, wet areas with sedges, rushes, and grasses around the margins of ponds, small lakes, bogs, marshes, and swales. It is thought that females oviposit in decayed wood. An herbivore, this species feeds on cattails, water-plantain, and joe-pye-weed.
Natural Community Types
For each species, lists of natural communities were derived from review of the nearly 6,500 element occurrences in the MNFI database, in addition to herbarium label data for some taxa. In most cases, at least one specimen record exists for each listed natural community. For certain taxa, especially poorly collected or extirpated species of prairie and savanna habitats, natural community lists were derived from inferences from collection sites and habitat preferences in immediately adjacent states (particularly Indiana and Illinois). Natural communities are not listed for those species documented only from altered or ruderal habitats in Michigan, especially for taxa that occur in a variety of habitats outside of the state.
Natural communities are not listed in order of frequency of occurrence, but are rather derived from the full set of natural communities, organized by Ecological Group. In many cases, the general habitat descriptions should provide greater clarity and direction to the surveyor. In future versions of the Rare Species Explorer, we hope to incorporate natural community fidelity ranks for each taxon.
Management Recommendations
Maintain and restore suitable moist, open, grassy wetlands. Avoid dredging, filling, or other hydrologic alterations. Prescribed fire may be an appropriate habitat management tool but care should be taken to not burn all occupied habitat at once. Remove invasive plants that could alter habitat quality such as giant reed (Phragmites australis), narrow-leaved cattail (Typha angustifolia), or glossy buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula). Prohibit ORV use in occupied or sensitive areas.
Active Period
Active from fourth week of June to third week of October
Survey Methods
Conduct sweep net surveys in appropriate habitat.
Sweep net
Survey Period: From fourth week of June to third week of October
References
Survey References
- Borror, D.J. and R.E. White. 1970. A Field Guide to the Insects of North America and Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 404pp.
- Martin, J.E.H. 1977. The Insects and Arachnids of Canada (Part 1): Collecting, preparing, and preserving insects, mites, and spiders. Publication 1643. Biosystematics Research Institute, Ottawa.
Technical References
- Bland, R.G. 2003. The Orthoptera of Michigan: Biology, Keys, and Descriptions of Grasshoppers, Katydids, and Crickets. Michigan State University Extension, East Lansing. Extension Bulletin E-2815. 220pp.