Arthropods of Canadian Grasslands

Arthropods of Canadian grasslands: ecology and interactions in grassland habitats

Abstracts from a symposium held at the Joint Annual Meeting of the Entomological Societies of Canada and Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba
October 8, 2002

Michael Alperyn
Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2
Ponds in prairie habitats: a changing dynamic illustrated by predaceous water beetles

Predaceous water beetles (Coleopetera: Dytiscidae) were collected along a transect of southern Manitoba. Thirty-two ponds were sampled once per month (May - September) employing volumetric sampling and bottle traps. Factors affecting the dytiscid fauna will be discussed in relation to prairie habitats using boreal ecosystems for comparison.

Dan Johnson
Lethbridge Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4B1
Temporal changes in the grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acrididae) fauna of Alberta grassland, in response to fire, wether and vegetation changes.

Grasshopper species composition varies among natural regions within the grassland biome, and changes over time as a function of weather, which affects the reproduction, survival and development, and vegetation, in accordance with food plant preferences and nutritional needs. Short-term changes following grassland fire have also been monitored.

Rob Roughley
Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2
The use of fire as a biodiversity and conservation management tool on tallgrass prairie

The impact of fire management on selected elements of the flora and fauna of tallgrass prairie was studied (1997-2000). Fire as a disturbance is necessary for a healthy, dynamic tallgrass prairie. Spider, ground beetle and plant data are incorporated into a four year management plan using spring, summer and fall burns.

Joseph D. Shorthouse
Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6
Attributes of Canada's diverse grasslands

The integrity of Canada's grassland ecosystems has been greatly disrupted for either crop or livestock production with few remaining pristine areas. Arthropds are the most diverse, abundant and ecologically important animals in grassland habitats; however, we know surprisingly little about their biodiversity and ecological relationships and how they respond to habitat change. To addres these issues, the Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods) has launched a major project to study and report on the arthropods of Canadian grasslands that will culminate in three multi-authored books. The purpose of this presentation is to provide an overview of the abiotic and biotic attributes of Canada's grasslands that sets the stage for future contributions.

David Wade
Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2
Spiders (Araneae) collected in a tallgrass prairie in southern Manitoba and their importance to prairie conservation

Spiders play a vital role in prairie habitats, both as a primary predator and as a tool for conservation. Many species of spiders inhabit tallgrass prairie. These species respond to fire disturbance and also exhibit habitat preferences. The responses of these species to fire is important for prairie conservation.

Terry A Wheeler and Stéphanie Boucher
Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Macdonald Campus, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9
Trophic guilds of higher Diptera in xeric Yukon grasslands

In a biodiversity inventory of Diptera in xeric Yukon grasslands, the saprophagous families dominant in many temperate habitats were not well-represented. Most of the diverse families and abundant species were phytophagous, predaceous or parasitic. The lack of decaying plant material on the dry slopes may account for the decreased dominance of saprophagous flies.

This page last updated 02/03/2010