Philopatry in the alpine grasshopper, Podisma pedestris: a novel experimental and analytical method

Local dispersal and philopatric behaviour of the alpine grasshopper, Podisma pedestris , were studied at two sites in the Alpes Maritimes using a new mark—release—resight technique featuring marking in situ , and multiple resighting without handling. The time‐consuming nature of the design was justified by the quantity and quality of the data yielded. Philopatry is defined independently of any concept of home range as a phenomenon by which movements over longer periods are less than would be expected by extrapolation of measures over shorter periods. By this definition, the grasshoppers are shown to exhibit philopatry. Nymphs comprise two heterogenous classes of those which move little and those which move considerable distances. Daily dispersal estimates were obtained from movements of 1055 nymphs and adults at one site, and of 593 adults at another. Differences are demonstrated in daily dispersal distances for age, sex and site combinations. Some differences in microhabitat preference were observed. The findings are compared with previous measurements of dispersal in this species, and the merits of the new technique are discussed.