Using Fitch’s elephanthopper to design a management plan for the Spirit Knoll State Preserve

In August 2013, two individuals of Fitch’s elephanthopper, Fitchiella robertsoni (Hemiptera: Caliscelidae), were discovered at Spirit Knoll State Preserve in Plymouth County in the Loess Hills in Western Iowa, a newly acquired tallgrass prairie site obtained by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).  Relatively little is known about the life history of F. robertsoni, although this species is thought to exist only as small populations on isolated remnant prairie and oak barrens sites scattered throughout the Upper Midwest.  Of particular management concern is the potential susceptibility of this species to dormant season fire.  Fire is the primary tool used by the IDNR to manage prairie sites.  The specific objectives of this survey were to: 1. determine the geographic distribution of Fitch’s Elephanthoppers at Spirit Knoll, and 2. establish a baseline index of the abundance of Fitch’s Elephanthopper.  The goal of this study is to inform the management plan being developed by the IDNR for the Spirit Knoll State Preserve.  Elephanthoppers were surveyed in August 2014 using sweep nets and insect vacs, and abundance and geographic distribution throughout the preserve were recorded using GPS and GIS.  The proposed management plan for the site which includes the designation of non-burn refugia are presented.