Comparative Study on the Nymphal Stages of Two Sphingonotus Species (Acrididae: Oedipodinae)
Comparative Study on the Nymphal Stages of Two Sphingonotus Species (Acrididae: Oedipodinae)
Fakhra Soomro1,*, Riffat Sultana2 and Muhammad Saeed Wagan2
ABSTRACT
Nymphal stages of two species of genus Sphingonotus Fieber viz. S. savignyi Saussure and S. rubescens rubescens (Walker) were studied exclusively form Sindh during the 2014-2016. Both species passed through six instars larvae. Emergence of larval instars in both species was started from the month of July just after monsoon rainfall, whereas, S. savignyi immature emerges earlier than S. rubescens rubescens and increases their density rapidly in open grounds and rocky areas. Immature stages were found exclusively geophiles in nature and usually giving two generation in a year but occasionally third generation of diapauses eggs of S. savignyi hatched in winter. A comparative key for immature stages of both species was constructed. Almost all immature stages occupied similar habitats as that of adults and their appropriate stages were differentiated through combination of characters i.e. coloration, morphometry, pronotum, femur bands, wing pad position and appearance of bands.
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August 2019
Vol. 51, Iss. 4, Pages 1203-1598
