Heliaula rufa, the rufous grasshopper, is found in southeast
Wyoming. It prefers hilltops and areas with coarse soil in the shortgrass
prairie. Its reddish-brown color blends very well with patches of bare
ground. Eggs overwinter in the soil. Adults were present in August. This
species is reported to feed on grasses and may prefer gramma grasses. It
is uncommon in Wyoming and it would damage rangeland forage only in conjunction
with other species.
Ref: Otte 1981, and Capinera and Sechrist 1982.