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.
