Dr. P. Elaine Roberts Professor  Department of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management eroberts@lamar.colostate.edu

Molecular systematics of alpine grasshoppers represents a new research direction in this laboratory. Grasshoppers in the genus Melanoplus are the focus of this work. The goal is to use molecular markers to investigate whether cryptic species are evolving among grasshoppers found only at high altitude in isolated mountain ranges. The ability to identify grasshopper species, cryptic species, or polymorphic species with molecular markers may assist with pest management decisions.