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David H Branson (Dave)
Research Entomologist


Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon Reprint Icon will take you to the publication reprint.)
The LTAR Grazing Land Common Experiment at Northern Plains - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Toledo, D.N., Hendrickson, J.R., Kobilansky, C.L., Liebig, M.A., Kronberg, S.L., Christensen, R., Archer, D.W., Branson, D.H., Rand, T.A., Campbell, J.W., Igathinathane, C. 2024. The LTAR Grazing Land Common Experiment at Northern Plains. Journal of Environmental Quality. 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.20604.
Grasshopper abundance and offtake increase after prescribed fire in semi-arid grassland - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Heimbuch, N.G., McGranahan, D.A., Wonkka, C.L., Vermeire, L.T., Branson, D.H. 2023. Grasshopper abundance and offtake increase after prescribed fire in semi-arid grassland. International Journal of Wildland Fire. 32(12):1828-1833. https://doi.org/10.1071/WF23031.
Power bars: Mormon crickets get immunity boost from eating grasshoppers - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Srygley, R.B., Branson, D.H. 2023. Power bars: Mormon crickets get immunity boost from eating grasshoppers. Insects. 14(11). Article 868. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14110868.
Early impacts of invasive shrub removal on riparian arthropod communities - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
West, N.M., Branson, D.H., Muscha, J.M., Campbell, J.W. 2023. Early impacts of invasive shrub removal on riparian arthropod communities. Ecological Restoration. 41(4):189-198. https://doi.org/10.3368/er.41.4.189.
Drought and insect herbivory affect soil nutrients and grass production in a northern mixed grassland - (Abstract Only)
Grasshoppers exhibit asynchrony and spatial non-stationarity in response to the El Niño/Southern and Pacific Decadal Oscillations - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Humphreys Jr., J.M., Srygley, R.B., Lawton, D., Hudson, A.R., Branson, D.H. 2022. Grasshoppers exhibit asynchrony and spatial non-stationarity in response to the El Niño/Southern and Pacific Decadal Oscillations. Ecological Modeling. 471. Article 110043. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2022.110043.
Geographic variation in migratory grasshopper recruitment under projected climate change - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Humphreys Jr., J.M., Srygley, R.B., Branson, D.H. 2022. Geographic variation in migratory grasshopper recruitment under projected climate change. Geographies. 2(1):12-30. https://doi.org/10.3390/geographies2010003.
Grasshopper feeding preference affects cascading effects of predators on plant biomass in a mixed-grass prairie - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Branson, D.H. 2022. Grasshopper feeding preference affects cascading effects of predators on plant biomass in a mixed-grass prairie. Food Webs. 31. Article e00224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fooweb.2022.e00224.
Functional and taxonomic diversity of grasshoppers differentially shape above- and below-ground communities and their function - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Lucas, J.M., Jonas, J., Laws, A., Branson, D.H., Pennings, S.C., Prather, C.M., Strickland, M.S. 2021. Functional and taxonomic diversity of grasshoppers differentially shape above- and below-ground communities and their function. Functional Ecology. 35(1):167-180. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.13682.
Tri-trophic interactions are resilient to large shifts in precipitation levels in a wheat agroecosystem Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Rand, T.A., Waters, D.K., Srygley, R.B., Branson, D.H. 2020. Tri-trophic interactions are resilient to large shifts in precipitation levels in a wheat agroecosystem. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 301:1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2020.106981.
Grasshopper populations respond similarly to multiple moderate intensity livestock grazing treatments - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Branson, D.H. 2020. Grasshopper populations respond similarly to multiple moderate intensity livestock grazing treatments. Journal of Orthoptera Research. 29(1):67-69. https://doi.org/10.3897/jor.29.46966.
Influence of cold temperature and exposure time on egg overwintering survival in the white-whiskered grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acrididae) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Branson, D.H. 2020. Influence of cold temperature and exposure time on egg overwintering survival in the white-whiskered grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acrididae). Journal of Orthoptera Research. 29(1):63-65. https://doi.org/10.3897/jor.29.46967.
Decoupled recovery of ecological communities after reclamation - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sylvain, Z.A., Branson, D.H., Rand, T.A., West, N.M., Espeland, E.K. 2019. Decoupled recovery of ecological communities after reclamation. PeerJ. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7038.
Oilfield reclamation recovers productivity but not composition of arthropod herbivores and predators - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sylvain, Z.A., Espeland, E.K., Rand, T.A., West, N.M., Branson, D.H. 2019. Oilfield reclamation recovers productivity but not composition of arthropod herbivores and predators. Environmental Entomology. 48(2):299-308. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvz012.
Effects of grasshoppers on prairies: Herbivore composition matters more than richness in three grassland ecosystems Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Laws, A.N., Prather, C.M., Branson, D.H., Pennings, S. 2018. Effects of grasshoppers on prairies: Herbivore composition matters more than richness in three grassland ecosystems. Journal of Animal Ecology. 87(6):1727–1737. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.12897.
Grasshopper species composition shifts following a severe rangeland grasshopper outbreak - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Branson, D.H. 2017. Grasshopper species composition shifts following a severe rangeland grasshopper outbreak. Journal of Orthoptera Research. 26(1):7-10. https://doi.org/10.3897/jor.26.14542.
Herbivore species identity and composition affect soil enzymatic activity through altered plant composition in a coastal tallgrass prairie Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Prather, C.M., Strickland, M.S., Laws, A.N., Branson, D.H. 2017. Herbivore species identity and composition affect soil enzymatic activity through altered plant composition in a coastal tallgrass prairie. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 112:277-280. doi:10.1016/j.soilbio.2017.05.013.
Oilfield reclamation in mixed grass prairie restores nematode but not plant communities - (Abstract Only)
Effects of altered seasonality of precipitation on grass production and grasshopper performance in a northern mixed prairie Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Branson, D.H. 2017. Effects of altered seasonality of precipitation on grass production and grasshopper performance in a northern mixed prairie. Environmental Entomology. 46(3):589-59. doi:10.1093/ee/nvx053.
Drought impacts on competition in Phoetaliotes nebrascensis (Orthoptera Acrididae) in a northern mixed grassland Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Branson, D.H. 2016. Drought impacts on competition in Phoetaliotes nebrascensis (Orthoptera Acrididae) in a northern mixed grassland. Environmental Entomology. 45(2):492-499. doi: 10.1093/ee/nvv225.
Grasshopper responses to fire and postfire grazing in the northern Great Plains vary among species Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Branson, D.H., Vermeire, L.T. 2016. Grasshopper responses to fire and postfire grazing in the northern Great Plains vary among species. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 169(2):144-149. doi:10.1016/j.rama.2015.10.005.
Insect herbivory and vertebrate grazing impact food limitation and grasshopper populations during a severe outbreak Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Branson, D.H., Haferkamp, M.R. 2014. Insect herbivory and vertebrate grazing impact food limitation and grasshopper populations during a severe outbreak. Ecological Entomology. 39(1):371–381.
Heat dosage and oviposition depth influence egg mortality of two common rangeland grasshopper species - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Branson, D.H., Vermeire, L.T. 2013. Heat dosage and oviposition depth influence egg mortality of two common rangeland grasshopper species. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 66(1):110-113.
Effects of nymph-overwintering grasshopper density on Ageneotettix deorum survival in a northern mixed grassland - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Branson, D.H. 2011. Effects of nymph-overwintering grasshopper density on Ageneotettix deorum survival in a northern mixed grassland. Journal of Orthoptera Research. 20(2): 137-139.
Relationships between plant diversity and grasshopper diversity and abundance in the Little Missouri National Grassland - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Branson, D.H. 2011. Relationships between plant diversity and grasshopper diversity and abundance in the Little Missouri National Grassland. Psyche. Vol. 2011, 7 pp., Article ID 748635, DOI:10.1155/2011/748635.
An experimental analysis of grasshopper community responses to fire and livestock grazing in a northern mixed-grass prairie - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Branson, D.H., Sword, G.A. 2010. An experimental analysis of grasshopper community responses to fire and livestock grazing in a northern mixed-grass prairie. Environmental Entomology. 39(5): 1441-1446.
Density-Dependent Effects of an Early Season Insect Herbivore on a Later Developing Insect Herbivore - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Branson, D.H. 2010. Density-Dependent Effects of an Early Season Insect Herbivore on a Later Developing Insect Herbivore. Environmental Entomology. 39(2): 346-350.
Influence of individual body size on reproductive traits in Melanopline grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Branson, D.H. 2009. Influence of Individual Body Size on Reproductive Traits in Melanopline Grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae). Journal of Orthoptera Research. 17(2):259-263.
Influence of a large late summer precipitation event on food limitation and grasshopper population dynamics in a northern Great Plains grassland - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Branson, D.H. 2008. Influence of a large late summer precipitation event on food limitation and grasshopper population dynamics in a northern Great Plains grassland. Environmental Entomology. 37(3):686-695.
Grasshopper herbivory affects native plant diversity and abundance in a grassland dominated by the exotic grass Agropyron cristatum - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Branson, D.H., Sword, G.A. 2009. Grasshopper Herbivory Affects Native Plant Diversity and Abundance in a Grassland Dominated by the Exotic Grass Agropyron cristatum. Restoration Ecology. 17(1):89-96.
Effects of fall fire and livestock grazing on grasshopper populations in the Little Missouri National Grassland - (Abstract Only)
GRASSHOPPER EGG MORTALITY MEDIATED BY OVIPOSITION TACTICS AND FIRE INTENSITY - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Branson, David H. and Vermeire, Lance T. 2007. Grasshopper egg mortality mediated by oviposition tactics and fire intensity. Ecological Entomology. 32(1): 128–134.
Grasshopper host-plant selection influences seedling recruitment of native plants in an exotic dominated grassland - (Abstract Only)
Sustainable management of insect herbivores in grassland ecosystems: New perspectives in grasshopper control - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Branson, D.H., Joern, A., Sword, G.A. 2006. Sustainable management of insect herbivores in grassland ecosystems: New perspectives in grasshopper control. Bioscience. 56:743-755.
Grasshoppers and Crickets - ()
Johnson, D.L., Branson, D.H. 2007. Grasshoppers and Crickets. In: Lamp, W., Lamp, Berberet, R., Higley, L., Baird, C. Handbook of Forage and Rangeland Insects. Saint Paul, MN. APS Press. p. 67-76.
EFFECTS OF SUMMER FIRE AND POST-FIRE GRAZING ON GRASSHOPPER ABUNDANCE AND SPECIES COMPOSITION - (Abstract Only)
Branson, D.H., Vermeire, L.T. 2006. Effects of summer fire and post-fire grazing on grasshopper abundance and species composition. Society for Range Management. Abstract 59:44.
EFFECTS OF FIRE ON GRASSHOPPER POPULATIONS AND VEGETATION IN A NORTHERN MIXED-GRASS PRAIRIE - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Branson, D.H. 2005. Effects of fire on grasshopper populations and vegetation in a northern mixed-grass prairie. Environmental Entomology. 34(5):1109-1113.
DIRECT AND INDIRECT EFFECTS OF AVIAN PREDATION ON GRASSHOPPER COMMUNITIES IN NORTHERN MIXED-GRASS PRAIRIE - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Branson, D.H. 2005. Direct and indirect effects of avian predation on grasshopper communities in northern mixed-grass prairie. Environmental Entomology. 34(5):1114-1121.
GRASSHOPPER EGG MORTALITY EXPLAINED BY LAYING STRATEGY AND FIRE INTENSITY - ()
Branson, D.H., Vermeire, L.T. 2005. Grasshopper egg mortality explained by laying strategy and fire intensity. 2005. Research Update for Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory. p. 51-52.
2005 RESEARCH UPDATE - ()
Vermeire, L.T., Geary, T.W., Grings, E.E., Haferkamp, M.R., Heitschmidt, R.K., Macneil, M.D., Rinella, M.J., Alexander, L.J., Roberts, A.J., Waterman, R.C., Branson, D.H. 2005. 2005 research update. Research Update for Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory. 57 pgs.
LIFE-HISTORY RESPONSES OF AGENEOTETTIX DEORUM (ORTHOPTERA: ACRIDIDAE) TO HOST PLANT AVAILABILITY AND POPULATION DENSITY - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Branson, D.H. 2006. Life-history responses of ageneotettix deorum (Scudder) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) to host plant availability and population density. Journal of Kansas Entomological Society. 79(2):146-155.
ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH AS A NEEDED DRIVER FOR PREVENTATIVE MANAGEMENT OF ACRIDIDS - (Abstract Only)
Branson, D. H. 2005. Ecological research as a needed driver for preventative management of acridids. Metaleptea 25:27.
RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF NYMPHAL AND ADULT RESOURCE AVAILABILITY ON REPRODUCTIVE ALLOCATION IN MELANOPLUS SANGUINIPES (ORTHOPTERA: ACRIDIDAE) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Branson, D.H. 2004. Relative importance of nymphal and adult resource availability on reproductive allocation in melanoplus sanguinipes (orthoptera: acrididae). Journal of Orthoptera Research. 13(2):239–245.
RESPONSES OF GRASSHOPPERS TO LIVESTOCK GRAZING: HABITAT MANIPULATION BY MAMMALIAN HERBIVORES - (Abstract Only)
Branson, D. H. Responses of grasshoppers to livestock grazing: Habitat manipulation by mammalian herbivores. XII International Congress of Entomology. Abstract No. S7F108.
EFFECTS OF SHEEP GRAZING ON GRASSHOPPER POPULATION DYNAMICS AND RANGELAND VEGETATION - ()
BRANSON, D.H., HAFERKAMP, M.R. EFFECTS OF SHEEP GRAZING ON GRASSHOPPER POPULATION DYNAMICS AND RANGELAND VEGETATION. RESEARCH UPDATE FOR FORT KEOGH LIVESTOCK AND RANGE RESEARCH LABORATORY. p. 19-20. 2003.
THE EFFECTS OF FIRE AND LIVESTOCK GRAZING ON GRASSHOPPER POPULATION DYNAMICS: AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION - (Abstract Only)
Branson, D.H. and G.A. Sword. 2004. The effects of fire and livestock grazing on grasshopper population dynamics: An ongoing investigation. Society for Range Management Abstracts 57:45.
THE ROLE OF GRAZING MANAGEMENT IN REDUCING GRASSHOPPER OUTBREAKS - (Abstract Only)
REPRODUCTION AND SURVIVAL IN MELANOPLUS SANGUINIPES (ORTHOPTERA: ACRIDIDAE) IN RESPONSE TO RESOURCE AVAILABILITY AND POPULATION DENSITY: THE ROLE OF EXPLOITATIVE COMPETITION - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
BRANSON, D.H. REPRODUCTION AND SURVIVAL IN MELANOPLUS SANGUINIPES (ORTHOPTERA: ACRIDIDAE) IN RESPONSE TO RESOURCE AVAILABILITY AND POPULATION DENSITY: THE ROLE OF EXPLOITATIVE COMPETITION. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 2003. V. 135. P. 415-426.
EFFECTS OF A PARASITE MITE ON LIFE-HISTORY VARIATION IN TWO GRASSHOPPER SPECIES - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
BRANSON, D.H. EFFECTS OF A PARASITE MITE ON LIFE-HISTORY VARIATION IN TWO GRASSHOPPER SPECIES. Evolutionary Ecology Research. 2003. V. 5. P. 397-409.
THE EFFECTS OF RANGELAND FIRE ON GRASSHOPPER POPULATIONS AND VEGETATION IN A NORTHERN MIXED GRASS PRAIRIE - (Abstract Only)
BRANSON, D.H. THE EFFECTS OF RANGELAND FIRE ON GRASSHOPPER POPULATIONS AND VEGETATION IN A NORTHERN MIXED GRASS PRAIRIE. SOCIETY FOR RANGE MANAGEMENT MEETING ABSTRACTS. 2003. V. 56. PAPER NUMBER 30.
GRASSHOPPER AND SHEEP HERBIVORY IMPACTS ON GRASSHOPPER POPULATION DYNAMICS, VEGETATION AND NITROGEN AVAILABILITY: RESULTS FROM A TWO YEAR EXPERIMENT - (Abstract Only)
BRANSON, D.H., HAFERKAMP, M.R. GRASSHOPPER AND SHEEP HERBIVORY IMPACTS ON GRASSHOPPER POPULATION DYNAMICS, VEGETATION AND NITROGEN AVAILABILITY: RESULTS FROM A TWO YEAR EXPERIMENT. ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA BULLETIN. V.83, P. 324. 2002.
EFFECTS OF THE TIMING AND INTENSITY OF SHEEP GRAZING ON GRASSHOPPER POPULATIONS - (Proceedings)
MULTI-YEAR EFFECTS OF THE TIMING AND INTENSITY OF SHEEP GRAZING ON GRASSHOPPER POPULATIONS - (Abstract Only)
BRANSON, D.H., HAFERKAMP, M.R. MULTI-YEAR EFFECTS OF THE TIMING AND INTENSITY OF SHEEP GRAZING ON GRASSHOPPER POPULATIONS. SOCIETY FOR RANGE MANAGEMENT MEETING ABSTRACTS. 2002. V. 55. P. 288.
EFFECTS OF GRASSHOPPER DENSITIES AND CLIMATE CONDITIONS ON GRASSHOPPER SURVIVAL AND REPRODUCTION - (Abstract Only)
BRANSON, D.H. EFFECTS OF GRASSHOPPER DENSITIES AND CLIMATE CONDITIONS ON GRASSHOPPER SURVIVAL AND REPRODUCTION. METALEPTEA. V. 21, P. 41. 2001.
EFFECTS OF THE TIMING AND INTENSITY OF LIVESTOCK GRAZING ON GRASSHOPPER POPULATION DYNAMICS DURING A GRASSHOPPER OUTBREAK - (Abstract Only)
BRANSON, D.H., HAFERKAMP, M.R. EFFECTS OF THE TIMING AND INTENSITY OF LIVESTOCK GRAZING ON GRASSHOPPER POPULATION DYNAMICS DURING A GRASSHOPPER OUTBREAK. METALEPTEA. V.21, P. 96. 2001.