Factors Driving The Zayante Band-winged Grasshoppers To Extinction
There are currently many factors that are causing the endangerment of the Zayante band-winged grasshoppers, driving them to extinction. The biggest concerning threat to the species is habitat loss. The loss of habitat is caused by human activities that include, urban, agriculture, and recreational developments, and sand mining. These human activities and alterations of the environments have disrupted the grasshopper’s habitat. A large percentage of the Zayante sandhills are has been altered by human activities (USFWS 1997). Almost two thirds of the remaining surrounding habitat is unprotected and privately owned, being vulnerable to more habitat disruptions and destruction by humans in the near future (Glenn, C. R. 2006).
Some nonnative plant species are also a problem that is driving the Zayante band-winged grasshoppers towards extinction. Changes in the plant communities have reduced the quantity and quality of the available habitat to the grasshoppers. The encroaching forests has also appeared to get in the way, restricting the use of areas as habitat for the grasshoppers, resulting in declining population numbers of the species (Donald J. Barry 2000). Also, nonnative plant species are beating out the grasshoppers, entering sites that are occupied by the Zayante band-winged grasshopper. Two nonnative species that are affecting the grasshopper’s habitat are the Portuguese broom (Cystisus striatus) and sea fig (Carpobrotus chilensis) (Donald J. Barry 2000).
Due to the declining numbers in population, the Zayante band-winged grasshopper (Trimertropis infantilis) has been listed as an endangered species. The main threat to the species at the time is habitat lost, due to human activities and alterations to habitat. The introduction of non-native species of plants has also affected the species population. Over- collection and substances such as pesticides have also been seen as potential threats to the species (Donald J. Barry 2000).
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