Diet of Walkingsticks on Sandhill Rangeland in Colorado

Abstract

The seasonal dry-weight composition of the diet of walkingstick insects collected on sandhill rangeland in northeastern Colorado was determined by microscopic examination of crop contents. The walkingstick was found to be monophagous and highly selective in its feeding habits. Slimleaf scurfpea comprised essentially 100% of its seasonal diet. Preference indices were calculated from herbage availability data. The frequency of plants in the habitat and the frequency of plants in the diet of the walkingsticks were not correlated. Walkingsticks may compete with cattle for high-protein forage.