ISSN 2372-2517 (Online), ISSN 2372-2479 (Print) METALEPTEAMETALEPTEA THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ORTHOPTERISTS’ SOCIETY
TABLE OF CONTENTS President’s Message (Clicking on an article’s title will take you By ALEXANDRE V. LATCHININSKY to the desired page) President [email protected] [1] PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE [2] SOCIETY NEWS ear Fellow Orthopterists, [2] Call for T.J. Cohn Grant by M. LECOQ dear friends, [3] OSF Grants Awardees by M.M. CIGLIANO First of all, I would [3] 13th ICO in Morocco by A. IDRISSI [4] Global Locust Initiative Notes from the like to wholeheartedly Field! by A. RIVERS & A. CEASE wish all of you a fruit- [6] Visit to Argentina for the South American ful and successful year Locust by D. HUNTER DD [7] Orthopterists’ Society Support for the 2018! This year promises to be a AAIS Meeting by D. HUNTER very busy one for the Society – as [8] REGIONAL REPORTS every pre-Congress year is. I am [8] Western Europe by G. LEHMANN [9] T.J. COHN GRANT REPORTS very pleased to share with all of you [9] Tolerance of groundhoppers’ eggs to de- the news about our next meeting. In hydration – why do females of genus Tetrix the previous months, the Organiz- search for mossy patches? by D. MUSIOLEK [11] An Attempt at Using Radio Telemetry ing Committee met several times and to Understand Leaf Masquerading Behavior significant progress in preparation in Mimetica Pictet, 1888: Considerations for th Future Projects, and Some Observations by for the 13 International Congress R. SELKING of Orthopterology has been made. [14] OSF GRANT REPORTS The dates of the Congress are set for [14] The Brazilian fauna of phalangopsid crickets (Grylloidea, Phalangopsidae): types March 24-28, 2019 in Agadir, Mo- website functional, attractive, and from the collection of the Museu de Zoolo- rocco, which means that there are resourceful. gia da Universidade de São Paulo (MZSP) by only about 13 months before it starts. In November 2017, the Orthopter- P.G.B. SOUZA-DIAS [17] Dead and Alive - New images of band- The overall theme is “Challenges in ists’ Society organized a Symposium winged grasshoppers (Caelifera: Acrididae: front of climatic and environmental in the framework of the Annual Meet- Oedipodinae) in the OSF by M. HUSEMANN changes.” On page 3-4, in the letter & L.-S. DEY ing of the Entomological Society of [18] Digitalisation of Indian Orthoptera from the President of the Organiz- America in Denver, Colorado. You types deposited in British Natural History ing Committee, Prof. Amina Idrissi, will find the summary report on this Museum, London (NHMUK) and a checklist to Orthoptera of Kerala, India by D. BHAS- please find more information regard- event (led by omnipresent Dr. Derek KAR ET AL. ing the Congress, including important A. Woller!) on page 31-42. Several [23] CONTRIBUTED ARTICLES deadlines for Symposia submissions. -members of the Society involved [23] Review of the recent chapter on locust phase polyphenism by Cullen et al. (2017) by Next, I am going to touch upon in applied orthopterology will also M.P. PENER another very important subject for participate in the 9th International [26] A hitchhiking migratory locust from the Society: its website. I would like Integrated Pest Management Sym- Queensland Australia by R. FARROW [28] Collecting in Southern Mexico: to thank our previous web-master posium in Baltimore, Maryland, on Oaxaca and Guerrero states by R. MARIÑO- Dr. Piotr Naskrecki for his long-term 19-22 March 2018. And on April PÉREZ ET AL. successful work and welcome our 12-14, 2018, a Global Locust Initia- [31] MEETING REPORTS [31] ESA 2017 Recap and Abstracts compiled new web-master Dr. Derek A. Woller. tive will be launched from Arizona by D.A. WOLLER Derek is the successional leader of the State University in Tempe. For more [42] The 2nd Eurasian Orthopterological USDA-APHIS Rangeland Grasshop- Symposium Recap and Abstracts complied information about this exciting event by M.G. SERGEEV per and Mormon Cricket Management see page 4-5. [57] TREASURER’S REPORT Team in Phoenix, Arizona. I wish Once again, best wishes for the new [58] EDITORIAL Derek good luck making the Society 2018 year to all! Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 1 METALEPTEA The Theodore J. Cohn Research Fund: Call for applications for 2018 (Deadline : March 31, 2018) By MICHEL LECOQ Chair, Theodore J. Cohn Research Fund Committee [email protected]
ear fellow Orthopterists, The proposals should be in the fol- The Committee prefers proposals Once again I have the lowing format and restricted to the applicable to broad biological prob- pleasure to announce indicated number of pages: lems, even though the actual research a new call for applica- may be narrower in scope. Proposals tions for The Theodore DESCRIPTION (one page) also should include clearly stated hy- DD J. Cohn Research Fund. potheses and aims, and the nature of As you know, this research grant is 1. TITLE the evidence to be gathered to test the primarily to fund research projects in hypothesi(e)s and possible outcomes. Orthoptera (s.l.) by young researchers, 2. SIGNIFICANCE, stressing the But taxonomic projects may also be often as part of a masters or Ph.D., new ideas and aspects of the proposal, funded, particularly coming from though post doctorates may also be expected contribution to theory, rela- African countries. funded. A total amount of $15K per tion to previous work, etc. (applicants Proposals from graduate students year is available and it is possible to should emphasize the nature and sig- must include a simple recommenda- fund research grants for up to $1,500 nificance of their proposal to provide tion from their major professor or per grantee. the judges with the basis for weighing advisor. Those not affiliated with an In 2017, 11 research projects were different projects, especially in fields educational or research institution funded (out of 14 proposals received) outside their expertise) should indicate where the work is to and we regularly publish with plea- be done. sure and interest the reports of benefi- 3. RESEARCH PLAN, including the A short report will be required from ciaries from previous years that enrich particular orthopterans to be studied, the successful applicants. It will be the various issues of Metaleptea. methods, logistics, etc. written for our newsletter, Metaleptea, I’m sure, for this call, we will and be suitable for both orthopterists receive again a lot of interesting and 4. TIMETABLE, even if approxi- and non-specialist readers. high quality proposals. As with the mate, to give the judges some idea of last year, I strongly encourage stu- feasibility. Proposals should be submitted to dents and young researchers from the Chair at the following address: Africa and Asia to submit a project. I CURRICULUM VITAE (half page) Michel Lecoq hope that our regional representatives including name, full address, pres- e-mail: [email protected] can relay my call to arouse more proj- ent position or years in graduate ect applications from these continents. school, education, number of papers Start writing! The committee will consider all re- published or completed, citation of quests with the same attention and be- selected publications pertinent to the nevolence. The quality of English will proposal to aid the judges. not be a criterion and we are ready, at the level of the Committee, to help the BUDGET (half page) including students of these countries to better justification of items where appropri- formulate their projects in English if ate (i.e. why special equipment is necessary. In the end, the intrinsic necessary unless clearly obvious), quality and originality of the research other funding for the project, etc. project will be the only criteria. Overheads cannot be provided for on Society grants.
Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 2 METALEPTEA Grants supporting the Orthoptera Species File By MARIA MARTA CIGLIANO Chair, Orthoptera Species File Grant Committee [email protected]
he OSF grants commit- of Scelimeninae Bolivar, 1887 & dipodinae in Russian Collections tee received eighteen Cladonotinae Bolivar, 1887 from 6. Michael Sergeev (Russia) applications from fifteen Southern India and digitization of Title: Re-inventory of grasshoppers countries (Algeria, Tetrigidae types stored in MNHG (Acrididae: Gomphocerinae: Hyper- Austria, Brazil, Cam- Geneva (Switzerland) nephiini) of North and Central Asia 2. Ivković Slobodan (University of 7. Nicolas Moulin (France) T eroon, China, Croatia, T Novi Sad, Belgrade, Serbia) & Laslo Title: Contribution of distributional Cuba, France, Germany, Hungary, Horvat (Austria) and taxonomical data of Mantodea India, Pakistan, Russia, Serbia, and Title: Orthoptera of Serbia and Mon- species and photos of live individuals Singapore) from which the follow- tenegro - further research on poorly from West Central Africa ing ten proposals listed below were investigated areas and little known 8. Ranjana Jaiswara (Department of funded. The proposals were selected taxa. Zoology and Environmental Sci- based on the relation to the amount of 3. Jiajia Dong (China) ences, Punjabi University, Patiala data (images, specimen records, etc.) Title: Taxonomic review, distribution Punjab, India) expected to be added into the Or- and exploration of the Cardiodacty- Title: Photography of male genitalia thoptera Species File or to any other lus crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: of Gryllinae (Orthoptera, Grylloidea) Eneopterinae) in New Guinea type specimens at MNHN Paris Species File within Polyneoptera. It 4. Lucas Denadai de Campos (Universi- 9. Sheila Young (Museo de Historia was also considered if the proposal dade de São Paulo, Brazil) Natural “Tomás Romay”, Santiago was related somehow to a taxonomic Title: Photographic database of de Cuba, Cuba) research project and also the candi- Tafaliscinae sensu Desutter, 1987, Title: An inventory of the Orthoptera date’s expertise. Podoscirtinae and Phalangopsidae of the Eastern Sierra Maestra Range, (Ensifera, Grylloidea) type specimens Cuba OSF grants funded for 2018: deposited in the Academy of Natural 10. Ming Kai Tan (National University Sciences of Philadelphia (ANSP) of Singapore), Jessica B. Baroga & 1. Dhaneesh Bhaskar (Kerala Forest 5. Martin Husemann, Lara-Sophie Dey Sheryl A. Yap Research Institute, Kerala, India) (Centrum für Naturkunde, Univer- Title: Advancing biodiversity in- and Josip Skejo (Croatia) sity of Hamburg, Germany) formatics of Orthoptera from the Title: Taxonomy and distribution Title: Digitization and Imaging of Oe- Philippines 13th International Congress of Orthopterology “Challenges in front of climatic and environmental changes” Agadir, Morocco: March 24-28, 2019 By AMINA IDRISSI President Local Organizing Committee of ICO 2019 [email protected] ear Colleagues and tific community working on different let orthopterists exchange ideas and Friends, aspects related to orthopteran species advances under this overall theme. We We are delighted to to participate. The first important date strongly encourage symposia propos- have the opportunity to to note is the closing of symposia als in a wide variety of topics, such as invite you to participate proposition, which will be the 28th of biodiversity and phylogeny, invading DD in the 13th International February, 2018. species, systematics and molecular Congress of Orthopterology. The con- The overall theme of the congress taxonomy, functional genomics, biol- gress will be held in Agadir, Morocco, will be to address the Challenges in ogy and behavior, plant-orthopteran from the 24th to the 28th of March, front of climatic and environmen- interactions, orthopterans as key indi- 2019. tal changes. Some plenary lectures, cators, evolution and population dy- The Local Committee would like symposia, oral presentations, and namics, chemicals and environmental to invite orthopterists and the scien- poster sessions will be organized to impacts, modelling and management, Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 3 METALEPTEA sium organizer should make sure that propositions of workshops or special the speakers submit an abstract during meetings, please do not hesitate to the call for abstracts and fulfill the contact us providing all information registration to the congress. before the 28th of February, 2018. We Symposia propositions should be will try our best to accommodate ap- sent by email (orthoptera2019@uiz. propriate requests. ac.ma) as PDF document and include: For the moment, please note these 1) The title; 2) Organizer(s) name(s), important dates in your agenda: affiliation and complete contact • Deadline for Symposia submis- information, including email ad- sions or other propositions: Feb- environmental protection, biological dress; 3) Justification and description ruary 28, 2018 control, and new pesticides. (maximum 1 page); 4) List of speak- • Deadline for Abstract submis- Symposia are supposed to focus on ers (name, affiliation and email) and sions: September 30, 2018 a common theme with at least three presentation titles; 5) Logistic require- • 13th International Congress of Or- participants from different institu- ments (specific needs for internet or thopterology: March 24-28, 2019 tions. Presentation length must be something else). between 15 and 25 minutes with time It is the responsibility of organizers A website about the congress will for questions and at least 10 minutes of each symposium to obtain funding open soon and will convey all nec- at the end of the symposium allotted for their own expenses and those of essary information for registration, for discussion time. A symposium their invited speakers or participants. payment, accommodation, and venue will typically last 2 hours, but could The local organizing committee is not of the congress. be extended if planned at the time of responsible to support speakers’ travel As president of the Local Organiz- proposition. For a symposium of nor- expense to the meeting. Preference ing Committee of ICO 2019, I will be mal length, a maximum of 7 speakers may be given to proposals for which happy to welcome you in our warm is expected, but here again the orga- organizers can demonstrate that funds city of Agadir and hope you will join nizing committee will consider other are likely to be available. us to make this 13th edition a large forms of propositions. The sympo- If your working group has further success. Global Locust Initiative Notes from the Field! By ARIEL RIVERS GLI Program Manager, Arizona State University, USA [email protected] ARIANNE CEASE GLI Founding Director, Arizona State University, USA [email protected]
s we gear up for the dents). There is a contact inquiry form and strategies to increase cooperation official launch of the (in English and Spanish) that we ask across country boundaries, conduct Global Locust Initiative all interested partners to complete. We collaborative research, and identify (GLI) at Arizona State use this information to guide the ac- pathways for effective monitoring and University’s Tempe tivities of the GLI and connect people management. David Hunter presented AA campus now during who may be interested in working information regarding the history of April 12-14, 2018, we want to share together. Please also email Ariel if S. cancellata monitoring in Argentina some recent developments about the you have any questions or informa- via skype, Mario Poot-Pech discussed initiative and some of our activities! tion you would like to share with the the various strategies for monitor- Please feel free to email Ariel Rivers GLI community! ing acridids using unmanned aerial or Arianne Cease at any time for more In early November, Ariel and vehicles and management strategies details, with questions, or to be a part Arianne attended a three-day work- for S. piceifrons, Ariel promoted of the GLI! shop in Cordoba, Argentina, with the GLI and the official launch, and We now have a live website at partners from Argentina, Bolivia, and Arianne shared information regard- locust.asu.edu. On the site, we have Paraguay. In response to the unprec- ing locust research and management information about the initiative, edented outbreak of Schistocerca globally. Local partners also updated upcoming events and news (including cancellata in the region, the three the group on the current situation in job postings and opportunities for stu- countries are establishing protocols each country, producers presented
Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 4 METALEPTEA
Participants in the Tri-Country Workshop on the Management of Schistocerca cancellata in Cordoba Argentina, November 2017. their concerns, and Argentine policy- annual meeting on November 7, 2017. ways to productively use the website, makers were present to listen to the As a member-based initiative, the future workshop and network oppor- concerns of various stakeholders. GLI incorporates feedback from our tunities, and other ways members can The meeting was very productive and stakeholders to guide our activities, contribute to making GLI success- provided many opportunities for con- vision, and values. As we position ful and sustainable. Based on these tinued dialogue for acridid research GLI to be complementary to existing events and discussions, we aim to and management in Latin America. organizations, the many members of host a locust forecasting and monitor- Several partners from South America the Orthopterists’ Society who were ing workshop in 2019. will be present at the official launch in present at the discussion provided Finally, we are hosting the official April. valuable feedback on ways the GLI GLI launch at ASU on April 12-14, The GLI also hosted an informal can effectively support our members 2018! The event promises to be a discussion session at the Entomo- without overlapping our efforts with productive three days, with a public logical Society of America’s (ESA) other groups. The attendees discussed outreach event (including tours of the ASU locust rearing facilities with 5 species of grasshoppers and locusts!), research presentations, posters, and discussions. As a direct outcome of the event, we will draft a scholarly review comparing the structure and function of organizations and institu- tions working in the locust/grasshop- per space, and a policy brief directed towards influencers in the U.S.-based policy realm. All interested individu- als are welcome to attend. Please see our website for more details and to RSVP. Please email Ariel with any Participants in the ESA discussion identifying activities and future plans for the GLI. November questions or if you would like to pres- 2017. ent a poster. Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 5 METALEPTEA Visit to Argentina to Discuss Methods of Management of the Upsurge of the South American Locust By DAVID HUNTER Executive Director and President-Elect [email protected] s outlined by Medina et al. (2017) in the most re- cent Metaleptea (37(3): 17-21), there has been a dramatic upsurge AA in populations of the South American locust, Schistocera cancellata in the past several years. A preventive management system, implemented since the 1950s (Gastón 1969, Hunter & Cosenzo 1990), had kept the number of bands and swarms to a minimum, but an upsurge began in 2015 with the appearance of a num- ber of swarms. In spite of continuing treatment programs, locust numbers have increased further. Following an international work- shop on managing the upsurge in late October, which included participants from Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, David Hunter with the producers in the field. U.S.A. and Australia (myself via Skype), I was invited to visit Argen- many locusts in northwest Argentina. gave several presentations on key as- tina for discussions on the current There were dense bands in a num- pects of locust management programs upsurge. The trip was funded by ber of locations and treatments were in various parts of the world and these IICA (Inter-American Institute for being carried out by landholders and were followed by further discussions Cooperation on Agriculture) and, after local government officers. A number on how to implement relevant parts a delay due to an airline strike, I was of meetings and discussions were held into the management program for the able to visit some of the areas with with landholders and government of- South American locust. ficials regarding the importance of find- References ing and treating lo- Gastón J. 1969. Síntesis histórica de las cust bands to avoid invasiones de langosta en la Argen- further substantial tina. Publ. Misc. No. 433. Secretaria increases in locust de Estado de Agricultura y Ganaderia, Buenos Aires, 32 pp. numbers. There Hunter D., Cosenzo E. 1990. The origin of were also discus- plagues and recent outbreaks of the sions concerning South American locust, Schistocerca some of the special cancellata (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in problems involved Argentina. Bulletin of Entomological in managing these Research 80: 295-300. locusts, particularly Medina H., Cease A., Trumper E. 2017. when many of them The resurgence of the South American are in scrublands locust (Schistocerca cancellata). Meta- (monte) where ac- leptea 37(3): 17-21. Band of the South American locust roosting on shrubs and fence post. cess is difficult. I Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 6 METALEPTEA Orthopterists’ Society Support for the AAIS Meeting (October 23-26, 2017) By DAVID HUNTER Executive Director and President-Elect [email protected] he 22nd meeting of the Pakistan, African Association of and covered Insect Scientists (AAIS) varied topics, was held in Wad Meda- including ni, Sudan during October biodiversity TT 23-26, 2017. The theme and conser- of the conference was “Towards vation, life securing human welfare through histories, and management of insect diversity in a orthopterans changing world”. As part of increas- as a source ing the visibility of our society and of nutrition. encouraging presentations on Orthop- The funds tera at larger meetings, the Orthopter- were used ists’ Society gave a grant of $1,000 for travel to support those giving presentations and accom- on Orthoptera as part of this confer- modation for ence. This support was suggested by several of the Mohamed Abdellahi Ould BABAH participants EBBE, our regional representative for who provided North and West Africa and the Sahel very success- and was undertaken in liaison with the ful contribu- Executive Secretary of the AAIS. As tions to the a result of this support for presenta- conference. tions on Orthoptera, the AAIS proudly displayed a grasshopper (Zonocerus variegatus) on the front cover of its book of Abstracts, giving grasshop- pers and the Orthopterists’ Society pride of place! Abstracts on Orthoptera were from Cameroon, Kenya, Uganda, and
Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 7 METALEPTEA Regional Reports - What’s happening around the world? Western Europe By GERLIND LEHMANN Humboldt University Berlin [email protected]
Undoubtedly a milestone for Europe is the compilation of the Red List of European Orthoptera (Hochkirch et al. 2016). Using a structured process based on the criteria of the Interna- tional Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a pan-European team has evaluated all 1,082 species. Around a quarter of them are clas- sified as threatened in Europe. Even in a much-studied area as Europe, there are 107 species (or 10%) that cannot be evaluated due to deficient data. Population trends are even more alarming, as four times more species show declining than stable popula- tion trends. As over 70 percent (or 739 species) of European species are endemic, the countries have a global responsibility to protect them. Biodi- versity hotspots of European endemic species are the Iberian Peninsula, Figure 1. The Barcode tree of 122 Central European Orthoptera species (see Hawlitschek et al. Italy, and the Balkan, with a lesser 2017). proportion in large mountain areas as the Alps, Pyrenees, or Carpathians. The brand-new book on the Or- first comprehensive barcoding data- Major threats are habitat loss, degra- thoptera of Austria (Zuna-Kratky et base (Hawlitschek et al. 2017). The dation, and fragmentation resulting al. 2017) is a fantastic example of the data set includes 748 COI sequences from agricultural land use. With an results from a country-wide recording from 127 of the 162 taxa (78.4%) ever-increasing land-use intensity, scheme in the Center of Europe. The recorded in the three countries in- habitats are converted into cropland, authors managed to analyze more than volved (see Fig. 1). Ninety-three of degraded by overgrazing, the use of 300,000 records, brought together by these 122 species (76.2%, including fertilizers, and heavily impacted by over 1,500 observers. The 880 pages all Ensifera) can be reliably identified pesticides. Therefore, the authors are packed with distribution maps, using DNA barcodes. The remaining conclude that conservation strategies pictures, and a sorrowful update about 26 Caelifera species (families Acridi- for the European Orthoptera species the faunistic situation in the country dae and Tetrigidae) form ten clusters should be developed and implement- between the Alps and the Pannonian that share barcodes. Species sharing ed, and the Common Agricultural steppe region. barcodes are phylogenetically young Policy should support traditional low- Faunistics and conservation are not and some are known to hybridize in intensity agricultural land use systems the only fields in which multinational nature. The database will allow for the as pastoralism. A reduction of the use cooperation is pushing our knowl- development of approaches for auto- of pesticides and fertilizers is neces- edge. A combined effort of colleagues matic monitoring as using metabar- sary! Much-needed is a pan-European from Germany, Switzerland, and coding from trap samples. monitoring program for Orthoptera Austria (Barcoding Fauna Bavarica, It is worth mentioning that the lead- species, which might be feasible by Germany, German Barcode of Life, author of this study will be a keynote merging the multitude of existing Austrian Barcode of Life, and Swiss speaker at the upcoming meeting of recording schemes. Barcode of Life) have compiled the the German Society of Orthopterol- Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 8 METALEPTEA ogy (DGfO) to be held March, 2018 man Society: http://dgfo-articulata.de/ Fontana P., García M.D., Heller K-G., in Potsdam. This conference will downloads/tagungen/2018_15_jahres- Iorgu I.Ș., Ivković S., Kati V., Kleukers celebrate the 30th anniversary of this tagung_dgfo_potsdam.pdf. R., Krištín A., Lemonnier-Darcemont German Orthopterology Society and We hope to welcome a lot of our M., Lemos P., Massa B., Monnerat C., is organized in cooperation between Colleagues in March in Potsdam! Papapavlou K.P., Prunier F., Pushkar T., Roesti C., Rutschmann F., Şirin D., Skejo the Natural Museum Potsdam, the J., Szövényi G., Tzirkalli E., Vedenina V., Orthoptera working group of the Publications (2017) Barat Domenech J., Barros F., Cordero federal states Brandenburg and Berlin Hawlitschek O., Morinière J., Lehmann Tapia P.J., Defaut B., Fartmann T., Gom- and the Humboldt University Berlin. G.U.C., Lehmann A.W., Kropf M., Dunz boc S., Gutiérrez-Rodríguez J., Holuša One and a half days of talks, posters, A., Glaw F., Detcharoen M., Schmidt S., J., Illich I., Karjalainen S., Kočárek P., and society meetings will give the Hausmann A., Szucsich N.U., Caetano- Korsunovskaya O., Liana A., López H., Wyler S.A., Haszprunar G. (2017): latest overview about German orthop- Morin D., Olmo-Vidal J.M., Puskás G., DNA barcoding of crickets, katydids, terology and provide ample room for Savitsky V., Stalling T., Tumbrinck J. and grasshoppers (Orthoptera) from (2016): European Red List of Grass- exchanging thoughts and ideas with Central Europe with focus on Austria, other Orthoptera-fellows. The plan is hoppers, Crickets and Bush-crickets. Germany, and Switzerland. Molecular Luxembourg: Publications Office of the to present the upcoming “Distribu- Ecology Resources 17:1037-1053. European Union. tion atlas of Brandenburg” during this Hochkirch A., Nieto A., García Criado M., Zuna-Kratky T., Landmann A., Illuich I., event, and updated regional red lists Cálix M., Braud Y., Buzzetti F.M., Cho- Zechner L., Essl F., Lechner K., Ortner of Brandenburg and Berlin. All neces- banov D., Odé B., Presa Asensio J.J., A., Weißmair W., Wöss G. (2017): Die sary information can be found at the Willemse L., Zuna-Kratky T., Barranco Heuschrecken Österreichs. Denisia 39: newly designed website of the Ger- Vega P., Bushell M., Clemente M.E., 880 pp. Correas J.R., Dusoulier F., Ferreira S., Theodore J. Cohn Research Grant Reports Tolerance of groundhoppers’ eggs to dehydration – why do females of genus Tetrix search for mossy patches? By DAVID MUSIOLEK University of Ostrava, CZECH REPUBLIC [email protected] roundhoppers (Or- thoptera: Tetrigidae) belong to one of the most overlooked groups among Orthoptera. Al- GG though we know some details about their life histories, many patterns remain unexplained. One remarkable feature in groundhoppers of the genus Tetrix is their affinity for mossy habitats, which is even supe- rior in females compared to males (Hochkirch et al., 2007; Musiolek & Kočárek, 2016). Groundhoppers are mainly detritivorous and moss represents only about 20% of their food (Kuřavová & Kočárek, 2015). Individuals occurring on mossy stands are under a higher predation Figure 1. Model species used for the study. (A) Adult female of Tetrix tenuicornis; (B) adult risk compared to individuals inhabit- female of T. subulata; (C) a sand pit – typical secondary habitat for both studied groundhopper ing non-mossy stands (Karpestam et species. T. tenuicornis occupies relatively dry slopes covered with sparse vegetation, whereasT. subulata is especially abundant on wet shorelines of the water body. al., 2013). Therefore, the ecological
Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 9 METALEPTEA eggs was obtained from each female. The cups were filled with a pressed sand-coconut fibre basic substrate (sand:coconut-fibre, 1:3, v:v) of a particular humidity level and covered with a particular surface substrate. For each groundhopper population, a total of 18 cups were used. Five cups contained three equal surface sections (thickness of 1–2 cm) of living moss, detritus, and sand with low humidity basic substrate (25±5%) and five cups contained the same cover with medi- um humidity basic substrate (50±5%) (Fig. 2A). Eight cups contained a basic substrate with medium humidity covered with a single substrate type: sand only (two cups), detritus only (two cups), living moss only (two cups), and non-living moss only (two cups) (Fig. 2B). The same charge of basic and cover substrates was used for all cups. Detritus was a mixture of topsoil and decaying plant debris (hummus). Sand was fine siliceous river sand (1–2 mm particle size). The living moss was Ceratodon purpureus Hedw. The non-living moss was C. purpureus macerated for 30 min in 80 Figure 2. Setup of the experiment. (A) A cup with three-section cover substrate (moss, sand, detritus) for oviposition choice determination; (B) cups with non-living (left) and living (right) °C fresh water and drained to normal moss substrates for testing of egg incubation success. (C) a clutch of eggs of T. subulata; (D) a humidity. All surfaces were slightly cup with freshly hatched nymphs; (E) a setup for monitoring substrate humidity. strewn with food (mossy and detritus particles). The plastic cups were cov- advantage of preference for mossy moss compared to other incubation ered with a dished lid allowing slight patches is unclear. substrates because of antiseptic and ventilation and preventing desicca- Groundhoppers’ reproduction antimicrobial properties of mosses. tion (Fig. 2E). All cups were placed takes from early spring to summer in To test these three assumptions, a in a laboratory with temperature of temperate regions when females lay laboratory experiment was undertaken 20±1 °C and a 12 h L:D photoperiod clutches of eggs a few millimetres un- with two groundhopper species, Tetrix provided by linear LED tubes placed der a substrate surface. The eggs ab- subulata L. and T. tenuicornis (Sahl- 30 cm above the cups. The LED sorb water during their development berg, 1891). Both species are common tubes provided with light of ~6000 K and hatch after 3–4 weeks (Hartley, in Central Europe and have similar colour temperature and intensity of 1962). I hypothesized that (1) females life histories, but T. subulata is more 4500±200 lx. use moss as an oviposition substrate hygrophilous, inhabiting marshy habi- Each cup was visually inspected that provides sufficient humidity tats, whereas T. tenuicornis inhabits every second day for a presence of thanks to the high water-retention slightly dryer habitats (Fig. 1). egg clutch (Fig. 2C). If a clutch was ability of mosses, thus decreasing the A total of 180 adult females from found, the female was excluded from egg mortality caused by dehydration; 10 distinct populations (18 females the experiment, the position (sub- (2) a choice of oviposition substrate per population) of T. subulata and a strate) and date of finding were re- has higher fitness consequences for total of 162 adult females of T. tenui- corded, and the clutch was incubated groundhopper species inhabiting cornis from 9 distinct populations in specific conditions. Those clutches relatively dry habitats than for spe- (18 females per population) were laid in cups with the single cover cies living in wet habitats; (3) egg individually kept in 500-ml transpar- substrate (eight cups per population, hatching is more successful in living ent plastic cups and one clutch of see above) were incubated in non- Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 10 METALEPTEA changed conditions to determine if alized linear mixed models. The tration and I thank Petr Kočárek, Markéta some substrate type provides hatching data need some further analyses, Kirstová, and Petr Pyszko (OU) for help- advantage against another substrate but preliminary results support my ful comments, laboratory work, and data type. Those clutches laid in cups hypotheses that moss is preferred as processing. with the three-section cover substrate an oviposition substrate in the stud- (five with low humidity and five with ied groundhoppers and it provides a References medium humidity, see above) were fitness advantage compared to detri- Hartley, J. C. (1962). The egg of Tetrix replaced into new 500-ml cups half- tus and sandy substrates. The eggs (Tetrigidae, Orthoptera), with a discus- sion on the probable significance of filled with the pressed basic substrate hatched successfully in a wide range the anterior horn. Journal of Cell Sci- with one of the five humidity catego- of incubation humidity, but the dry ence, 3(62), 253-259. ries: “dry” (5±5% substrate humidity), substrate was lethal for all clutches. Hochkirch, A., Gröning, J., & Krause, S. “medium-dry” (25±5%), “medium” Next, I will test the responsiveness of (2007). Intersexual niche segregation (50±5%), “medium-wet” (75±5%), the studied groundhoppers to humid- in Cepero’s Ground-hopper, Tetrix and “wet” (95±5%, i.e., maximum ity levels of the oviposition substrate ceperoi. Evolutionary Ecology, 21(6), water content in the substrate) to to distinguish if the xerophilous T. 727-738. determine the eggs’ tolerance to a tenuicornis is more sensitive to a Karpestam, E., Merilaita, S., & Forsman, humidity gradient. All clutches were choice of an oviposition substrate A. (2013). Detection experiments with visually inspected every second day compared to the hygrophilous T. humans implicate visual predation as a driver of colour polymorphism for hatching (Fig. 2D). The number of subulata. The results will help to dynamics in pygmy grasshoppers. BMC hatched nymphs as well as the num- understand the interactions between ecology, 13(1), 17. ber of both hatched and unhatched bryobiont organisms and their envi- Kuřavová, K., & Kočárek, P. (2015). eggs in each clutch were counted. The ronment. The final output of the study Seasonal variation in the diet of Tetrix substrate humidity was measured via will be published in an international tenuicornis (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae). soil moisture sensors (Vernier, USA) scientific journal. Entomological Science, 18(4), 489-501. placed 2–3 cm deep under cover sub- Musiolek, D., & Kočárek, P. (2016). strate (Fig. 2E). The substrate humid- Acknowledgements Weather-dependent microhabitat ity was nearly constant throughout the Thanks to the Orthopterists’ Society (OS) use by Tetrix tenuicornis (Orthoptera: duration of the experiment. and the University of Ostrava (OU) for Tetrigidae). The Science of Nature, Data were analysed with gener- funding. Namely, I thank Michel Lecoq 103(7-8), 68. and Pamm Mihm (OS) for grant adminis- An Attempt at Using Radio Telemetry to Understand Leaf Masquerading Behavior in Mimetica Pictet, 1888: Considerations for Future Projects, and Some Observations By RYAN SELKING Texas A&M University, USA [email protected] amouflage strate- tion whereby the predator organism dids of the subfamily Pterochrozinae. gies across insects are misclassifies the prey organism as an The true-leaf katydids of Central and widespread and diverse, object not of interest to the predator South America are among the most and include mimicry (Caro & Allen 2017, Skelhorn 2015). striking examples of leaf masquer- and crypsis. One type of There is one problem, however, and ade in insects, katydids of the genus CC camouflage in particu- that is the dearth of empirical infor- Mimetica Pictet, 1888 (Orthoptera: lar, masquerade, is quite commonly mation pertaining to leaf masquerade Tettigoniidae: Pterochrozinae) among mistaken for crypsis, and has received in particular. Most of the past studies them. Mimetica are sexually dimor- little attention in camouflage studies that have been performed regarding phic and appear to be polymorphic in comparison (Skelhorn et al. 2010). masquerade have focused on twig within a population and, as with other Crypsis is sensory deception whereby mimicry, or anecdotally with leaf pterochrozines, likely exhibit diurnal the predator organism mistakes mimicry. Some examples of high- catalepsy, and are active nocturnally the prey organism as a part of the fidelity leaf mimicry can be found in (Castner and Nickle 1995). They are background (Allen & Cooper 1985, polyneopteran orders, with extreme also difficult to encounter in high Skelhorn & Rowe 2016), whereas examples being phylliid leaf insects, numbers in the field and are rare in masquerade is cognitive decep- dead leaf mantises, and true-leaf katy- insect collections. Members of Mi- Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 11 METALEPTEA adhesive on a fifth instarSchistocerca americana (Drury, 1773) to see how effective it was at attaching transmit- ters. The experiment took place at the Texas A&M University Soltis Research Center (TAMU SRC) in Costa Rica during August 6-21, 2017, in conjunction with the Costa Rica Entomology Study Abroad class that my advisor (Dr. Hojun Song) leads. This saved on some transportation costs and provided me with field assistance in some of my endeavors. The katydids used in the experiment were to be tracked four times per day: around 5:30 A.M., at 1:00 P.M., at 5:00 P.M., and at 9:00 P.M. The initial experimental design required the live capture of ten green and ten brown Mimetica polymorphs, but after four Figure 1. Radio telemetry tracking in the open field-understory ecotone. nights of searching the understory for them, we had only obtained four im- metica need further study if we are to of biological factors on dispersal, mature individuals. Immature Mimet- understand not only their behavior but habitat/resource selection, and dif- ica do not have a leaf-masquerading the evolution of leaf masquerade in ferent aspects of dispersal like daily form and were not strong enough to katydids. activity patterns, migration patterns, carry the transmitter chips. My proposed project attempted to home range, and altitude above In another attempt to collect te- investigate, via radio-telemetry (Fig. ground. For more detailed examples, lemetry data, I developed a back-up 1), whether Mimetica masquerade consult Rink & Sinsch (2007), Negro experiment, which required the use of as leaves diurnally and if different et al. (2008), and Wikelski et al. ten non-leafy katydids and ten leafy polymorphs inhabit different regions (2010). Radio telemetry consists of katydids. The non-leafy katydids we of the understory to enhance their three main parts: the beeper transmit- captured for this experiment were mimesis. Radio telemetry has never ter, the antenna, and the receiving eight Cocconotus atrifrons (Brun- been used on pterochrozines before unit. The transmitter is attached to the ner von Wattenwyl, 1895) and five and only once before on forest-dwell- experimental organism and gives out Orophus guatemalae (Saussure & ing katydids (Fornoff et al. 2012). a specific radio frequency at constant Pictet, 1897). The sample size was I planned to use similar methods to intervals. The antenna picks up and constrained due to either a lack of understand the behavioral movements transfers the data from the transmitter specimens or the similar appearance of Mimetica to determine if brown to the receiving unit. When the an- of other species to O. guatemalae. My and green morphs inhabit significantly tenna is pointed towards, or is closer, new hypothesis was that O. guatema- lower or higher understory elevations, to the transmitter, the signal gets lae movement behavior would differ respectively, as well as to confirm that stronger and the receiving unit gives significantly fromC. atrifrons. The Mimetica are strictly active at night. a louder “blip” sound. The telemetry experiment did not go the way I had My hypothesis was that green poly- equipment I used consisted of Pico- planned this time either for several morph Mimetica would be significant- Pip Ag337 transmitter chips (0.29g) reasons, but primarily because the ly higher in understory height (closer with a 10-day lifespan, a flexible Yagi transmitter chips were too heavy for to green vegetation) than brown 148-152 MHz antenna, and a Bio- the Orophus katydids and stopped polymorph Mimetica (closer to fallen tracker Receiver (148-156 MHz). In their mobility, and the Cocconotus dead leaves). order to attach the transmitter chips katydids all died the day after the to the katydids, I used LocTite Super transmitter chips were attached, possi- Methods and Results Glue as an adhesive, and attached the bly due to stress from the attachment Under ideal circumstances, radio chips to the dorsal side of the pronota process. telemetry can be a valuable tool in so that they would inhibit movement Since this experiment also did research to obtain data like the effect the least. I had previously tested this not work out as well as planned, I Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 12 METALEPTEA conceived one last experiment to empirically test for leaf masquerade behavior in katydids. The species of katydids that we were able to collect during my time at the TAMU SRC was unpredictable, so I decided to perform another comparison of move- ment data using whatever species of leafy katydids were available and strong enough to carry the transmitter chips on their backs. The plan was to see if there were similarities or differ- ences among the katydid species to examine if there were any dispersal behaviors that could be correlated to leaf masquerade. I sacrificed sample size and increased sample diversity as we only had what was available Figure 2. Copiphora hastata with transmitter attached hanging under a broad leaf in the under- to catch in the field. One of each story. of the following species was used: Copiphora rhinoceros Pictet, 1888, why the three experiments outlined knock-out the study organism tempo- Neoconocephalus triops (Linnaeus, above did not produce expected rarily for transmitter attachment via 1758), Copiphora hastata Naskrecki, results, so the purpose of this report carbon dioxide or temporary freezing 2000, Lophaspis hebardi Rehn, 1947, is to provide some insight to any is very necessary for easier attach- Lirometopum coronatum Scudder, who are interested in pursuing radio ment of the transmitters. 1875, Steirodon robertsorum Ems- telemetry in their studies. These are There were some biological ob- ley, 1970, and Itarissa costaricensis some considerations that should be servations that I would like to re- (Rehn, 1917). My new hypothesis taken into account when perform- cord here as so little is known about was that all seven of the katydid spe- ing telemetric experiments. For one, Mimetica that this may be useful to cies listed previously would exhibit understanding the abundance of the someone further down the line who similar or equal trends in dispersal study organism is important as a wishes to study the genus or subfam- behavior. Unfortunately, this experi- rare organism could lead Table 1. Tracking dates, times of day, and coordinates cap- ment did not work out either except to insufficient sample tured for C. hastata. for different reasons this time. My sizes, as was the case with sample of seven species was reduced Mimetica. Having a large Day Time Coordinates to one for the following reasons: S. sample size is necessary to 1 5:34 AM 10°23.003’N, 84°37.003’W robertsorum managed to detach itself combat negative circum- 1 12:52 PM 10°23.003’N, 84°37.003’W from the transmitter and escape, L. stances, like escape or 1 5:02 PM 10°23.003’N, 84°37.003’W hebardi and I. costaricensis both died predation. Understanding 1 9:03 PM 10°23.003’N, 84°37.003’W from tachinid parasitoids, C. rhinocer- the cuticular structure of 2 5:52 AM 10°23.005’N, 84°37.002’W os and N. triops were both extremely your study organism is 2 1:04 PM 10°23.006’N, 84°37.002’W strong fliers and flew out of range of also important, as when I 2 5:06 PM 10°23.008’N, 84°37.003’W the transmitters within the first night was gluing the transmit- 2 9:14 PM 10°23.006’N, 84°37.004’W of being released, and, finally, on the ters onto the C. atrifrons 3 5:21 AM 10°23.008’N, 84°37.001’W fourth night of the experiment, L. katydids, the chips did not 3 1:11 PM 10°23.008’N, 84°37.007’W 3 5:09 PM 10°23.006’N, 84°37.002’W coronatum fell prey to a burrowing adhere to the pronota the 3 9:08 PM 10°23.003’N, 84°36.997’W spider as evidenced by its transmit- first time due to how waxy 4 5:37 AM 10°22.998’N, 84°37.002’W ter chip being found in a hole in the and depressed the pronotal 4 1:21 PM 10°23.006’N, 84°36.996’W ground. The only katydid that sur- cuticle was. The size and 4 5:02 PM 10°23.005’N, 84°36.990’W vived all five days wasC. hastata (see strength of the katydids 4 9:16 PM 10°23.001’N, 84°36.996’W Table 1 and Fig. 2). are also paramount as you 5 5:42 AM 10°22.986’N, 84°36.993’W cannot track a katydid that 5 1:04 PM 10°22.991’N, 84°36.989’W What to Take Away From This cannot carry a transmit- 5 5:00 PM 10°22.988’N, 84°36.995’W As noted, there were many reasons ter chip. Having a way to 5 9:16 PM 10°23.004’N, 84°37.000’W Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 13 METALEPTEA ily. During the first four nights of the katydids themselves. When active at Trans. R. Soc. B. 372: 20160344. trip, we only encountered 4 imma- night, the katydids would traverse the Castner, J.L., and D.A. Nickle. 1995. Ob- tures, yet towards the very end of understory by walking from branch to servations on the Behavior and Biology the trip, we obtained six adults and branch up and down the understory. of Leaf-Mimicking Katydids (Orthop- ten additional immatures. It is also They also tended to remain in the tera: Tettigoniidae: Pseudophyllinae: Pterochrozini). J. Orth. Res. 4: 93-97. worth mentioning that the majority of same general area from day to day, Fornoff, F., D.K.N. Dechmann, and M. the Mimetica were encountered after with net movement no greater than 15 Wikelski. 2012. Observation of Move- a brief but strong wind storm. The feet most days. ment and Activity Via Radio-Telemetry same can be said for Celidophylla Reveals Diurnal Behavior of the Neo- albimacula Saussure & Pictet, 1898, Acknowledgments tropical Katydid Philophyllia ingens another pterochrozine we found dur- I would like to thank the Orthopterists’ (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae). Ecotropica. ing the trip. Like many katydids, these Society for helping fund this project with 18: 27-34. groups of Costa Rican pterochrozines the Ted Cohn grant. Even though the Negro, M., A. Casale, L. Migliore, C. Pales- experiment did not produce ideal data due are probably canopy dwellers and trini, and A. Rolando. 2008. Habitat use to negative circumstances I hope that oth- are inaccessible to collectors at the and movement patterns in the endan- ers who are potentially interested in using gered ground beetle species, Carabus ground level. The Mimetica were radio telemetry on orthopteroid insects olympiae (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Eur. found clinging onto the stems of learn from this report, so that they may J. Entomol. 105: 105-112. broad-leaved understory plants and be able to avoid similar pitfalls. I would Rink, M., and U. Sinsch. 2007. Radio-tele- one individual was positioned in the like to thank the staff of the TAMU SRC metric monitoring of dispersing stag center of a large fern leaf. Many of for graciously hosting us and providing beetles: implications for conservation. the adults found on the last night of us with meals and facilities every day. I J. Zool. 272: 235-243. the trip were found in close proxim- would also like to thank my advisor, Dr. Skelhorn, J. 2015. Masquerade. Curr. Biol. ity, some being only 20 or 30 feet Hojun Song, for providing me with field 25: R643-R644. study guidance while simultaneously away from each other. As for the data Skelhorn, J., and C. Rowe. 2016. Cognition teaching a study abroad class. Lastly, I collected from the third experimental and the evolution of camouflage. Proc. would like to thank the students in the R. Soc. B. 283: 20152890. attempt, there were some observa- class for helping me procure live katydids Skelhorn, J., H.M. Rowland, and G.D. Rux- tions of typical camouflage behaviors and for assisting me with the tracking ton. 2010b. The evolution and ecology exhibited by L. coronatum (while during the trip. of masquerade. Biol. J. Linnean. Soc. it was alive) and C. hastata. These 99: 1-8. two katydids were totally immobile References Wikelski, M., J. Moxley, A. Eaton-Mordas, diurnally, yet, perhaps unsurpris- Allen, J.A., and J.M. Cooper. 1985. Crypsis M.M. Lopez-Uribe, R. Holland, D. Mos- ingly, became active at nightfall. The and masquerade. J. Biol. Educ. 19: kowitz, D.W. Roubik, and R. Kays. 2010. positions adopted by the two katydids 268-270. Large-Range Movements of Neotropi- consisted of clinging to the bottom Caro, T., and W.L. Allen. 2017. Interspe- cal Orchid Bees Observed via Radio cific visual signaling in animals and of a broad leaf larger in size than the Telemetry. 5: e10738. plants: a functional classification. Phil. Orthoptera Species File Grant Reports The Brazilian fauna of phalangopsid crickets (Grylloidea, Phalangopsidae): types from the collection of the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo (MZSP) By PEDRO G. B. SOUZA-DIAS Instituto de Biociências - USP, BRAZIL [email protected] razil is the largest Neo- practically unknown. This is true for Brazil. tropical country and the crickets (Grylloidea), a taxon histori- The four main Orthoptera collec- world’s most biodiverse. cally neglected in entomological stud- tions in Brazil are: 1) Museu Nacio- Regarding Orthoptera, it ies in Brazil, the fauna of which is far nal, Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ – ca. 221 is expected that Bra- from being well-known. Phalangop- type specimens according to OSF); 2) BB zil houses the richest sidae, the most diverse Neotropical Instituto de Pesquisas da Amazônia, fauna of our favorite insects, although lineage of Grylloidea, only recently Manaus (INPA – ca. 27 type speci- several lineages are poorly known or have been systematically studied in mens according to OSF); 3) Escola Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 14 METALEPTEA zoological collections. Later, from 1940-1941, the zoological collections were transferred to a new building, the so-called Museu de Zoologia. Then, in 1969 the Museu de Zoologia was associated with the Universidade de São Paulo and received its actual name: Museu de Zoologia da Univer- sidade de São Paulo. The MZSP is the most important collection of Grylloidea types in Brazil, mainly due to the taxonomi- cal studies of Francisco de A.G. de Mello in the early 1990’s. Unlike other museums, the cricket collec- tion is composed of specimens fixed in ethanol and kept in glass tubes and Figure 1. The Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo vials, differing from the traditional Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de million animal species and is one of dry-pinned specimens. The preser- Queiroz”, Universidade de São Paulo, the largest zoological collections in vation of crickets in ethanol started Piracicaba (DEFS – ca. 267 type Latin America. The MZSP was cre- with Francisco A.G. de Mello on the specimens according to OSF); and 4) ated from another institution called 1980’s (possibly influenced by his Museu de Zoologia da Universidade Museu Paulista, whose first natural colleague Daniel Otte) and was fol- de São Paulo, São Paulo (MZSP). history collection was acquired in lowed by other Brazilian orthopterists, Another important collection focused 1890. In 1939, the Departamento de such as Carlos Sperber, Edison Zefa, mainly on Ensifera is the collection Zoologia (Zoology Department) of Márcio Bolfarini, and myself. As a of the Departamento de Zoologia da the Secretaria de Agricultura, Indús- former student of Francisco, he taught Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botu- tria e Comércio do Estado de São me that keeping specimens in ethanol catu (BOTU), headed by Francisco de Paulo (Secretariat of Agriculture, 80-85% is a good option because, A. G. de Mello. Industry and Trade of São Paulo) despite the possible loss of coloration With the support of the Orthopter- was created to manage the increasing (as observed in green katydids), it al- ists’ Society, I made photo documen- tation of the types of Phalangopsidae from the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo (MZSP – Fig. 1). A total of 98 type specimens (holotype, allotype, and paratypes) from 44 species were photographed and the images are being uploaded to OSF (see Table). For each specimen, approximately four images were obtained: dorsal and lateral habitus; and head and tho- rax, in dorsal and lateral views. The number of photographs per species was variable depending on the condi- tion of the specimen and the presence of relevant, diagnostic characters. Thus, a total of 413 images are being uploaded to OSF. I am also uploading photographs of specimens in the field, whenever identification is possible, Figure 2. Comparison between different backgrounds: A, C, holotype of Adenopygus heikoi Bolfarini & de Mello, 2012 in a grey substrate made of modeling clay; B, D, holotype of A. heikoi totalizing almost 500 images. Bolfarini & de Mello, 2012 in substrate of glass microbeads The MZSP houses more than 10 Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 15 METALEPTEA lows the manipulation of the speci- Table 1. Checklist of Phalangopsidae species from the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de mens (e.g. stretching legs, moving São Paulo (MZSP). [* species designated but not sent to the MZSP; ** type specimens found in tegminae) and the search for details the collection of Alejo Mesa] in structures and characters, since the specimens are not hardened. More- over, keeping specimens in ethanol 85% (or superior) helps to preserve genetic material, allowing for the extraction of good quality DNA for molecular studies. On the other hand, a humid collection requires more space and is more expensive since the ethanol must be constantly checked and occasionally replaced. Photographing specimens fixed in liquid can be challenging. The main challenge is the adjustment and adap- tation of the lighting system and its interaction with the specimen and the liquid, due to the difference between the refractive indices of air and water. The fluid also makes the stability of the specimen difficult, and the color and nature of the background also influence the images. Thus, I have done several tests with both different lighting systems and backgrounds in order to find a way to get images with good resolution, minimizing the shadows and showing morphological details. I used dif- ferent backgrounds, from a uniform grey substrate made of modeling clay immersed in ethanol to a recipient filled with glass microbeads, where the specimens can be partially buried (Figs. 2, 3). The equipment used was a Leica MZ-16 stereomicroscope attached to a DFC-420 video camera. The images were captured through the software Leica Application Suite LAS 4.0, stacked through Helicon Focus 5.3, and edited in Adobe Photoshop CS6 and GIMP (GNU Image Manipulating Program) 2.8.
Next steps The OSF lists 108 type specimens of Orthoptera in the collection of MZSP, 56 Phalangopsidae. The only available catalog of Orthoptera types from MZSP was published by Do- menico (2005), which listed only 35 Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 16 METALEPTEA type specimens in the collection (13 Table 1. Cont’d. Phalangopsidae). Today the collection must be at least twice as large than in 2005, due to the increase in taxo- nomical studies in Brazil over the last 10 years (which continue to increase – and this is great!), housing 45 type specimens of Phalangopsidae (Octo- ber/2017). However, despite the recent taxo- nomic studies in Brazil, there is incongruence in the number of type specimens of Orthoptera shown in the OSF database and actually in the collection. Recently, the MZSP incorporated the Orthoptera collection of prof. Dr. Alejo Mesa (1928-2008), acquiring a large amount of speci- mens (and a lot of undescribed genera and species), both dry-pinned and in ethanol, from several Orthoptera lineages and several localities (even other continents). This new collection allowed us to find types described by him, some of them considered lost. Furthermore, several species whose type specimens were designated to MZSP on the original descriptions were not sent by the authors, explain- ing the incongruences shown in the Table. Thus, an updated catalogue of type specimens of Orthoptera from MZSP is being prepared in order to provide new and useful information for our Figure 3. A, male paratype of Guabamima saiva de Mello, 1993; B, holotype of Ottedana community. Along with the catalogue, cercalis de Mello & de Andrade, 2003; C, holotype of Joadis mesai Mews & Sperber, 2009; D, a photo documentation of all Orthop- holotype of Endecous betariensis de Mello & Pellegatti-Franco, 1998; male paratype of Microler- neca leticia de Mello, 1995; male paratype of Lernecopsis beto de Mello, 1995 tera types from MZSP will be pro- vided and uploaded to OSF. Dead and Alive - New images of band-winged grasshoppers (Caelifera: Acrididae: Oedipodinae) in the OSF By MARTIN HUSEMANN & LARA-SOPHIE DEY Universität Hamburg - Zoological Museum, GERMANY [email protected], [email protected] he Oedipodinae, or band- common and fairly widely distributed, species of Oedipodinae in OSF with winged grasshoppers, others are rare microendemics, which specific focus on the genusSphin - are a large subfamily of are only known from the type series. gonotus. We added a total of 469 the Acrididae. With their Especially for many of the rare spe- images, belonging to 149 specimens cryptic coloration, but cies, no images have been available and 129 species to the OSF database. TT often brightly colored so far, neither of pinned specimens, Many types were included (e.g., Fig. wings, they are an iconic group within nor of specimens in the wild. 1). 19 species were photographed in the Caelifera. While some species are In our project we aimed to illustrate the field (Fig. 2-3), many likely for
Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 17 METALEPTEA
Figure 1. Holotype of Sphingonotus lavandulus from the BMNH (London). the first time. These images repre- Furthermore, as sent an important resource for future we are working studies and help to identify unknown on a phylogeny specimens in the future, both for pri- of the group we vate nature enthusiasts as well as for ask colleagues researchers. for material of We will keep adding additional Oedipodinae. pictures of Oedipodines from mu- seum collections and from the field, Figure 2-3. (2, top) Sphingonotus pilosus from Iran; (3, bottom) Sphin- especially from Mongolia and Iran. gonotus (Parasphingonotus) radioserratus from Morocco Digitalisation of Indian Orthoptera types deposited in British Natural History Museum, London (NHMUK) and a checklist to Orthoptera of Kerala, India By DHANEESH BHASKAR1*, P. S. EASA1 & AXEL HOCHKIRCH2 1Kerala Forest Research Institute, Thrissur, INDIA 2Department of Biogeography, Trier University, GERMANY *[email protected] nsects are the most species- and outside Protected Areas (Usmani identification is the backbone of many rich taxonomic group of our and Nayeem. 2012; Priya and Naren- biological disciplines (Lehmann et al., planet and therefore important dran, 2003; Gaikwad et al., 2016). 2017). Hence, Indian orthopterology for global species diversity. Although the Orthoptera Species is lacking a very important aspect of The Indian fauna is particular- File online (OSF) has revolutionized taxonomy. II ly species-rich and the orders the taxonomic knowledge of Orthop- Most of the type specimens of In- Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Hyme- tera, OSF was still lacking photos of dian Orthoptera have been deposited noptera are well-studied by Indian many species and almost no photos of in European museums by some of the taxonomists. However, Orthoptera Indian Orthoptera were provided. The leading Orthoptera taxonomists of the still remain less explored and are usu- only comprehensive resources avail- 20th Century (Bolivar, 1900, 1902 and ally just treated as pests. For example, able to Indian Orthopterists were still 1917; Bolívar, 1914 & 1930; Uvarov, no grasshopper species in India has so the drawings in the Fauna of British 1929; Chopard, 1969; Hebard, 1929; far been considered as a biodiversity India (Kirby, 1914 a & b). However, Henry, 1937 and 1940; Kirby, 1914 a indicator. Studies on Indian Orthop- correct species identification is crucial and b; Westwood, 1839). It is strik- tera are confined to agricultural fields in Entomology and verified species ing that the peak period of Indian Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 18 METALEPTEA
Figure 1. Images deposited in OSF.
Orthoptera research ended mid-20th doesn’t include any description of the Museum of Natural History (NHM Century. The only available study morphology of the species. Therefore, UK) is one of the major repositories material for Indian Orthoptera is the it was necessary to study the type of Indian Orthoptera type material as annotated checklist published by specimens in European museums and India was once a British colony. In Zoological Survey of India (Chandra make them available to facilitate Or- our project, we aimed to digitise the et al., 2010). However, this checklist thoptera research in India. The British types of Indian Orthoptera deposited Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 19 METALEPTEA in the NHM UK and the National to digitise at least 40 specimens per al., 2010; Chopard, 1969; Gaikwad Zoological Collection in Kolkata day. We found eight species not nec- et al., 2016; Hebard, 1929; Henry, (NZSI) as well as from the field to essary to be digitised for OSF based 1937 and 1940; Kirby, 1914 a & provide them to OSF. on the existing availability of images b; Khan et al., 2016; Mandal et al., The NHM UK holds type material in OSF. 2007; Nayeem et al., 2012; Prabakar of 203 Indian species and subspecies and Radhakhrishnan, 2005; Priya and the NZSI 14 species. Our objec- Highlights: We were able to locate and Narendran, 2003; Shishodia tive was to provide photos of each seven missing type specimens de- and Kazra, 1986; Shishodia et al., species with dorsal, lateral, frontal, scribed by Chopard (1933): Tridac- 2010; Srinivasan and Prabakar, 2013; and ventral views. We visited NHM tylus saussurei, Gryllopsis robustus, Uvarov, 1929; Usmani and Nayeem, UK in June 2016 and spent five work- Cophogryllus brevipes, Homalob- 2012; Vasanth, 1991; Westwood, ing days with the Indian Orthoptera lemmus cavifrons, Sphecogryllus 1839) and also with the Orthoptera type specimens. In order to provide armatus, Scleropterus variolosus, specimens collected in 2016-2017 good quality images, we used a Nikon and Aspidogryllus singularis. from the protected and non-protected D7000 DSLR with a Nikon 100mm Several requests were made to the areas of Kerala, India (Dhaneesh and macro lens and a R1C1 macro flash. Director of the National Zoological Easa, 2017). A total of 130 species The lateral view of the grasshoppers Survey of India (NZSI) to get access of Orthoptera from two suborders was provided with a blue background to the museum specimens. However, (Caelifera and Ensifera) have been to avoid any background interference. there was no response and the latest reported from this part of the world. A total of 202 specimens of 102 mail indicates that the digitisation of The checklist (Table 1) can be con- Indian type species from NHM Indian the specimens is already progressing sidered the first ever compiled for Orthoptera collection, including male in the museum. These are proposed to the Orthoptera of Kerala. As Kerala and female, were photographed along be uploaded to the website. is extremely rich with its floral and with their specimen records (labels) faunal diversity, an extensive survey and a barcode provided by NHM UK Checklist of Orthoptera of Kerala will result in a number of images of and the total number of 1,134 images (India) already described orthopteran spe- were deposited to OSF online (Fig. 1). A compiled checklist of the Or- cies along with many species new While our target was to photograph thoptera of Kerala (Southern Western to science. The taxonomy is updated type material of 156 species held at Ghats - India) is prepared (Table 1) with Orthoptera Species File online NHM UK, the condition of specimens from the available published litera- (Cigliano et al., 2017.
Table 1. Checklist Orthoptera species of Kerala [Coll* represents species collected by Dhaneesh & Easa, (2017). HR* represents historical records compiled on the basis of published and available literature.]
Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 20 METALEPTEA Table 1. Cont’d.
Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 21 METALEPTEA Pictorial Field Guide for Indian Acknowledgements Table 1. Cont’d. Orthoptera We would like to By using the type specimen images thank the Orthop- and OSF online data, we are propos- terists’ Society for ing a pictorial field guide for Indian funding the project. A number of re- Orthoptera. We strongly believe searchers spend their that the book will contribute a lot to time and extended Orthoptera research in the region. permission to use The field guide aims at students and their museum collec- field biologists who are interested in tions. We are grateful Orthoptera research and we expect to Judith Marshall that Orthoptera may become a new and George Beccalo- priority group of Indian naturalists. ni (NHM UK), who Since India is experiencing poor provided all support during the work in Inde); 2e Partie. Annis Soc. ent. Fr., 68 : internet connectivity along its coun- the museum. We also would like to thank 761-810, pIs. 11-12. Maria Marta Cigliano, Holger Braun, and Bolivar, I. 1902. Les Orthopteres de St. tryside, most of the researchers and Josip Skejo for their guidance throughout Joseph’s college, Trichinopoly (Sud de l’ field biologists are not able to access the programme. We are also grateful to Inde); 3 me Partie. Annis. Soc. ent. Fr., the OSF online website in the field. the Director and K.A. Sreejith of Kerala 70 : 580-635, pIs. 1-9. This marks the importance of a picto- Forest Research Institute. Bolívar, C. 1914. Eumastácinos nuevos o rial field guide (under the lead author- poco conocidos (Orthoptera: Locusti- ship of Dhaneesh Bhaskar). A model References dae). Trabajos del Museo de Ciencias page has been prepared for the species Bolivar, I. 1900. Les Orthopteres de St. Naturales (Serie Zoológica) (Trab. Mus. Mopla rubra Henry, 1940 (Fig. 2). Joseph’s college, Trichinopoly (Sud de l’ Cienc. nat., Madrid (Ser. zool.)) 16:46
Figure 2. Mopla rubra model species page prepared for Pictorial field guide (Pg 23 and 24).
Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 22 METALEPTEA pp., 1 pl. Ceylon (Orthoptera). Proc. R. ent. Soc. Entomology & Zoology, 7 (1): 391-417 Bolívar, C. 1930. Monografía de los Lond., (B)6 : 197-200, figs. 1-7. Prabakar, D., and Radhakhrishnan, C. eumastácidos (Orth. Acrid.). Primera Henry, G. M. 1940. New and little known 2005. Additions to the Grasshopper Parte. Trabajos del Museo de Ciencias South Indian Acrididae (Orthoptera). (Orthoptera: Insecta) Fauna of Kerala, Naturales (Serie Zoológica) (Trab. Mus. Transactions of the Royal Entomologi- South India. Rec. Zool. Surv. India: 105 Cienc. nat., Madrid (Ser. zool.) 46:xxxii, cal Society of London (Trans. R. Ento- (part 1-2) : 161-164. 380 pp. mol. Soc. London) 90(19):497-540 Priya, A. V., and Narendran, T. C. 2003. Bolivar, I. 1917, 1918. Contributional con- Kirby, W. F. 1914a. The fauna of British A key and a checklist of the genera of cocimento de la fauna Indica. Orthop- India including Ceylon and Burma, short-horned grasshoppers (Orthop- tera (Locustidae vel Acrididae). Revta Orthoptera (Acrididae), 1: IX + 276 pp. tera: Acridoidea) of Kerala. Entomon, R. A cad. Cienc. exact. fis. Nat. Madr., London 28: 223-230. 16 : 278-412. Kirby, W. F. 1914b. The Fauna of British Shishodia, M.S., and Hazra, A. K. 1986. Chandra, K., Gupta, S. K., and Shoshodia, India, Including Ceylon and Burma. Orthoptera fauna of Silent Valley, M. S . 2010. A checklist of Orthoptera Orthoptera (Acrididae), London, Kerala. Rec. zool. Surv. India, 84(1-4): (Insecta) of India. Zoological Survey of ix+276pp. 191-228. India (M.P), :1-57. Khan, M. I., and Usmani, M. K. 2016. Shishodia, M.S., Chandra, K., and Gupta, Chopard, L. 1969. The Fauna of India Taxonomic studies on Acridinae S. K. 2010. An annotated checklist and adjacent countries. Orthoptera, 2, (Orthoptera: Acridoidea: Acrididae) of Orthoptera (Insecta) from India. Grylloidea. xviii + 421 pp. from the north-eastern states of India. Record. Zoological Survey of India. 314: Cigliano, M.M., Braun, H., Eades, D.C., Journal of Threatened Taxa 8(1): 8389- 1-366. and Otte, D., 2017. Orthoptera Species 8397; http://dx.doi.org/10.11609/ Srinivasan, G. and Prabakar, D. 2013. A File. Version 5.0/5.0. [retrieval date]. jott.1709.8.1.8389-8397. Pictorial Handbook on Grasshoppers
his publication is only a review on the subject. Eight years Wang and Kang (2014) on molecular chapter in Advances in ago, Pener and Simpson (2009) pre- mechanisms of locust phase changes. Insect Physiology, but sented the last comprehensive review Considering the rapid advances in it is sufficiently com- on locust phase polyphenism. Mean- locust phase research, the recent prehensive and should while, many locust-related studies review, which was based on two sym- TT be regarded as a recent were published, including a review by posia held at the XXVth International Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 23 METALEPTEA Congress of Entomology (Orlando, Not many recent studies were report- Florida), is most welcome. ed on S. gregaria. According to the The chapter by Cullen et al. (2017) data reviewed by Pener & Simpson has 20 authors and it comprises 118 (2009), combined visual and olfactory printed pages. The construction of stimuli and especially mechanosen- the chapter by many authors has the sory stimulation of a defined area of advantage that each major section is the hind femora induce gregarious in itself a review on a specific subject behavior in this species. In C. termin- and can be read independently from ifera specific tactile stimulation of the other sections. The chapter covers antennae induces gregarious behavior. almost all subjects on locusts as its Employment of olfactometer and title says: “....the mechanisms and genomic studies on phase change consequences of locust phase poly- indicated the importance of olfactory phenism”. According to this attitude, stimuli in L. migratoria (see Guo et locust plagues are consequences of al. 2011). In my opinion, although phase change from the solitarious to olfactory stimuli may be important, the gregarious phase. they are not the sole factor in phase The chapter opens with an introduc- change in L. migratoria. I recall El- tion that comprises the scope of the lis’ (1959) study showing that single review, nomenclature with a world- nymphs of L. migratoria kept with a wide list of locust species, and an crowd of non-gregarious grasshop- ioral solitarization and gregarization, account of recent locust outbreaks. It per species and even with a crowd of possibly by downstream effects of is followed by a section on evolution woodlice (Isopoda) aggregated when different receptors. The chapter ends and diversity of swarming grasshop- first placed together. No doubt seems with conclusions emphasizing reports pers, emphasizing a gradient of traits to be that tactile mechanosensensory on “....different individual biogenic between sedentary species and true stimuli are also involved. amine and receptor combinations on locusts, as well as the polyphenism of The fifth section is devoted to both gregarization and solitarization locusts. biogenic amines and their role in within the same species” (Cullen et The next section (section 3) deals locust phase change. In my opinion, al. 2017, p.210). However, despite with phase-related behavior and its this section is unnecessarily exces- the fact that large parts of the puzzle methods of measurement and quanti- sive. The discussion of the phylogeny are available, no coherent picture fication. It is generally accepted that and classification of the receptors of emerges. locusts in the gregarious phase are biogenic amines does not contribute Section six is entitled “Genomics, more active and attracted each other, much to locust workers; it would have transcriptomics and epigenetics”. whereas in the solitarious phase they been sufficient to deal with the role of In the first subsection the history of are less active and are repelled from biogenic amines and their receptors in published studies relevant to sequence fellow locusts. However, there are locusts, and their complex effects on information is briefly outlined, cul- situations in which these concepts locust phase change. The literature is minating in the article by Wang et al. may not be correct, or their inter- very rich in relations of locust phases (2014) with a reference genome of pretation is difficult. Moreover, in and phase changes to serotonin, 17,307 predicted genes of L. migrato- some studies, change of phase-related dopamine, octopamine, and tyramine. ria with several functional categories. behavior has not affected activity Content of these substances is mea- Wang et al. (2014) found that the draft level (Guo et al. 2011, as mentioned sured in the thoracic ganglia and in genome sequence is 6.5 Gb and for in section 4). Methods of studying the brain and their change and role the time being it is the largest animal and measuring gregarious (or solitari- in relation to experimentally induced genome sequenced. Next, transcrip- ous) behavior are presented in Schis- behavioral transition of phase. For ex- tomic differences between the phases tocerca gregaria, by automated video ample, serotonin is involved in behav- are discussed with the conclusion that tracking in Chortoicetes terminifera, ioral gregarization of S. gregaria, but in L migratoria the largest difference, and separately in Locusta migratoria. it may be also involved in processes 594 differently expressed genes, is The section ends with suggestions for of solitarization. Serotonin content of found in fourth instar nymphs. The future studies. the thoracic ganglia increases in phase difference is even higher during phase The following section is on the transformation to either direction. In transition. Mobile elements in the ge- proximal stimuli inducing phase L. migratoria some evidence indicates nome of L. migratoria are presented change as investigated in nymphs. that serotonin is linked to both behav- and discussed as a reason for the large Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 24 METALEPTEA genome size; these elements may play bands of hoppers with little attention ployed routinely for S. gregaria and a role in locust phases. The genome to swarming adults. Two subjects of C. terminifera, is useful for observing of S. gregaria has not yet been se- locust marching bands are detailed: changes in vegetation, rainfall areas, quenced, but its size is estimated to be firstly, the behavior of the individual and temporary locust habitats, but around 8.55 Gb. DNA methylation in interacting with the collective motion usually is useless to directly detect locusts is compared with that of other of the band and vice versa; move- locust bands or swarms. The potential insects and it is different between soli- ments of the whole band in the field habitats should be checked by high tarious and gregarious L. migratoria constitute the second subject. Labora- resolution methods, such as vehicles and S. gregaria. This phase-dependent tory work on the first subject yielded or drones (see section 8). The portion difference, however does not seem to detailed data, including modelling on climate change deals first with at- reflect directly on a locust’s ability to of locust collective movements. The tempts to correlate historical climate exhibit phases. second subject is somewhat less cycles with locust plagues, mostly The seventh section deals with investigated, although the differ- in China, and then it discusses the phase-related neurophysiology. ent formations of locust bands are effects of the present local warming. The chapter well covers all relevant known. In some instances the forma- Northern expansion of the distribution aspects of the subject, starting from tion is species-specific (narrow and area of Dociostaurus maroccanus and phase-dependent differences in the dense stretching streams in Locustana Calliptamus italicus was reported. functioning of the metathoracic slow pardalina or broad frontal crescent Also, D. maroccanus has moved to extensor tibiae (SETi) motor neuron. formation in C. terminifera), but in higher altitudes. Warming causes These phase-dependent differences some other species the formation is shortening of the duration of egg and of the functioning of SETi are related variable. When marching is discontin- nymphal development and this may to differences in walking behavior ued the hoppers remain aggregated. lead, in some species, to an extra an- between solitarious and gregarious Larger bands may be followed by air nual generation. The last subsection locusts. Further differences are found craft or by drones. The section ends is on a “Locust Ecology Case Study: in the brain which is 30% larger and with conclusions, emphasizing the The Central American Locust, Schis- has different proportions in gregari- need for more field data. tocerca piceifrons”. ous than in solitarious S. gregaria. The ninth section outlines envi- The eleventh section is devoted to This difference may be related to the ronmental stimuli affecting phase human-locust interactions. Locust very different lifestyles of the dif- change; actually, the section is limited plagues, as reported in old Chinese ferent phases. Learning abilities are to phase change toward gregarization. literature and described in the Old also phase-dependent. Behavior of Two major factors seem to exert ef- Testament, often caused disaster in solitarious and gregarious locusts fect: resource distribution (clumped or human history and they are threat- is described within the frame of a fragmented) and resource availability ening agriculture even today. The subsection, “Phase-related differences (poor or rich), presumably including problem is still acute, especially in de- in daily rhythms of activity”. Gregari- nutritional state. In clumped resources veloping countries, and it may affect ous L. migratoria and S. gregaria are locusts are attracted to the clumps for economy. The damage is the greatest active at day-time, whereas solitari- feeding, which results in enhanced at the level of the farm, but individual ous conspecifics are usually active at interaction, leading to gregarization. farmers cannot fight a locust plague; night. The latter often make individ- The contrasting situation was reported coordinated responses are needed. ual migratory flights after dusk. This in a large-scale landscape study for Human activities sometime increase subsection also deals with phase- S. gregaria, indicating, rather, that the probability of locust outbreaks; dependent differences in hatching and fragmented over clumped vegetation for example, deforestation may lead emergence of the hatchlings. Finally, may lead to outbreaks. It seems that to an increase of breeding areas. neurophysiology related to the diel optimal diet promotes migratory ten- Figure 2 shows the systems of human- patterns of activity and the circadian dencies in locusts. This is in contrast locust interactions that should be clock genes in S. gregaria are delin- to older views that poor resources taken in account for sustainable locust eated. enhance migration. management. The section ends with Collective behavior in the labora- “Ecology and landscape-level the sentence “....temporal and spatial tory and in the field (i.e., behavior processes” is the title of the tenth scales, in addition to the bio-physical of bands of hoppers and swarms of section. It contains three subsections: and social contexts, need to be de- adults), constitutes the eighth section. Remote sensing, climate change, and fined and integrated to find effective, Obviously, only gregarious locusts a locust ecology case study. The his- economically efficient and sustain- exhibit collective behavior. The sec- tory of remote sensing by satellites able solutions to locust plagues” and tion is devoted mainly to marching is outlined. Satellite imagery, em- relevant literature. Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 25 METALEPTEA The last section presents the “Con- study by Wei et al. (2017) on phase- genes modulate the switch between cluding Remarks” summarizing the dependent volatiles in L. migratoria is attraction and repulsion during behav- achievements in locust phase research not mentioned despite the fact that it ioral phase change in the migratory in the last decade and outlines new was already available online in 2016. locust. Plos Genetics 7 (2), article: experimental approaches to better Nevertheless, I warmly and strongly e1001291. Hassanali A., Njagi P. G. N., Bashir M. O. understanding of the molecular basis recommend the chapter to locust 2005. Chemical ecology of locusts and of locust phase change. It also points workers, as well as to people working related acridids. Annual Review of out the importance of comparative in adjacent fields. Entomology 50: 223-245. analysis of different locust and “near Pener M. P., Simpson S. J. 2009. Locust locust” species of acridids. Locust References phase polyphenism: An update. Ad- phase research is extended to collec- Badr E. M. S., Bashir M. O., Hassanali A., vances in Insect Physiology 36: 1-272. tive motion studies, to effects of en- Ragakhan O. A. A., Nuri A. A. F, Ahme- Shi W.-P., Sun H.-L., Edward N., Yan Y.-H. vironmental factors, and to neuronal don A. B. A. 2015. Novel control tactics 2011. Fecal volatile components elicit and behavioral plasticity. The section as alternatives to chemical insecticides aggregation in the oriental migratory against the desert locust to reduce en- is closed by stressing the importance locust, Locusta migratoria manilensis vironmental risks. International Journal (Orthoptera: Acrididae). Insect Science of human-locust relations and devel- of Environment & Water 4: 40-52. 18: 166-174. oping solutions to the challenge of Bashir M. O., Hassanali A. 2010. Novel Wang X., Fang X., Yang P., Jiang X., Jiang locust plagues. cross-stage solitarising effect of F., Zhao D., Li B., Cui F., Wei J., Ma C., In spite of the comprehensive ap- gregarious-phase adult desert locust Wang Y., He J., Luo Y., Wang Z., Guo X., proach, some subjects are neglected. (Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål)) phero- Guo W., Wang X., Zhang Y., Yang M., The word “pheromone” is mentioned mone on hoppers. Journal of Insect Hao S., Chen B., Ma Z., Yu D., Xiong Z., only once. The review of Hassanali Physiology 56: 640-645. Zhu Y., Fan D., Han L., Wang B., Chen et al. (2005) is not cited and neither Cullen D. A., Cease A. J., Latchininsky A. Y., Wang J., Yang L., Zhao W., Feng Y., is the article on the solitarizing effect V., Ayali A., Berry K., Buhl J., De Keyser Chen G., Lian J., Li Q., Huang Z., Yao X., R., Foquet B., Hadrich J. C., Matheson of phenylacetonitrile on nymphs of S. Lv N., Zhang G., Li Y., Wang J., Wang J., T., Ott S. R., Poot-Pech M. A., Robin- Zhu B., Kang L. 2014. Nature Communi- gregaria (Bashir & Hassanali, 2010) son B. E., Smith J. M., Song H., Sword cations 5, article: 2957. (phenylacetonitrile is the major com- G. A., Vanden Broeck J., Verdonck R., Wang X., Kang L. 2014. Molecular mecha- ponent of the volatiles of S. gregaria Verlinden H., Roger S. M. 2017. From nisms of phase change in locusts. adults). The substance is not toxic molecules to management: Mecha- Annual Review of Entomology 59: to some non-locust insects (Badr et nisms and consequences of locust 225-244. al. 2015). As for Locusta migrato- phase polyphenism. Advances in Insect Wei J., Shao W., Wang X., Ge J., Chen ria, the study of Guo et al. (2011) is Physiology 53: 167-285. X.,Yu D., Kang L. 2017. Composition discussed in relation to the role of Ellis P. E. 1959. Learning and social ag- and emission dynamics of migratory lo- olfactory stimuli on phase change, gregation in locust hoppers. Animal cust volatiles in response to changes in Behaviour 7: 91-106. but the article by Shi et al. (2011) on developmental stages and population Guo W., Wang X., Ma Z., Xue L., Han J., density. Insect Science 24: 60-72. fecal volatiles that elicit aggregation Yu D., Kang L. 2011. CSP and Takeout in this species is ignored. Also, the A hitchhiking migratory locust from Queensland Australia By ROGER FARROW Insect Ecologist (Retired) Anti-locust Research Centre 1963-1965 International African Migratory Locust Organisation 1965-1969 Centre for Overseas Pest Research 1970-1974 (seconded to CSIRO Australia) CSIRO 1965 -1996 [email protected] n late May of 2017 (the Austra- in various national parks and farm few insects at all for that matter. lian autumn), I returned from stays with my partner and friends. The When we returned to our home, a 10-day outback trip down country was as dry as chips and had south of Canberra, we put our camper the Darling River Run from not received any significant rain since trailer in the garage with the canvas Bourke to Wentworth in West- September 2016 (following a wet erected to dry out. A week later (May II ern New South Wales, camping winter) and I saw no grasshoppers or 31st) my partner checked the interior Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 26 METALEPTEA occurs after sunset when surface air temperatures are still warm. These locusts are also attracted to light at the end of these flights (Farrow 1977). So, I examined the surface synoptic charts for the period we were away and the most likely weather systems favouring a migration of this locust were on May 16th and 17th, when we camped at Kinchega NP and Poonca- rie localities, respectively. The interesting thing about Poon- carie was that the caravan park had a bright street lamp just above our site, but there were no lights at Kinchega where we bush-camped. Surface tem- peratures were quite cold during the night at Pooncarie, but the northerly airflow above the inversion would have been much warmer. However, The actual specimen we were shut up in our trailer by 9 pm and it is difficult to work out how before we folded the canvas away brought in our trailer from the Dar- the locust got inside the trailer after and found a large grasshopper on the ling trip, but could not have bred a long night flight when it should pillow of the bed at the front of the locally in western NSW, so where did have arrived late in the night. It may camper trailer that has a hard top. I it come from and how did it get into have entered when we were packing immediately recognised it as a young, our camper? The nights were cold up the next morning. There are some post-teneral, brown morph of the (minimums: 5-12°C), although there small external lights on our camper female migratory locust, Locusta mi- was a northerly airflow for the latter and the only other insects attracted to gratoria migratorioides, still flexible five days of the trip, preceding a weak them that night were a few local ghost and only recently dead. As far as I am cold front that brought some light rain moths emerging after the light rain. It aware, the last time this species was between Wednesday and Thursday is also surprising we did not see the reported this far south was during the May 17-18. locust in the camper trailer the next locust plague in central Queensland Like most locusts and many grass- day since it would have been alive at in 1976 (Farrow 1979) when locusts hoppers, the migratory locust un- this stage, but there are some crevices arrived at Whitecliffs (another place dertakes extensive downwind night where it could have hidden. in Western New South Wales) and the flights at an altitude of 250-500m The alignment of the isobars, shown Australian Capital Territory. after fledging that may take it many above, suggest that the locust would This specimen must have been hundreds of kilometers. Take-off have flown in a south-easterly direc-
Weather systems at Kinchega NP and Pooncarie localities on May 16th (left) and 17th (right)
Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 27 METALEPTEA tion from south-central Queensland, been reported. I do not have the dusk L., at light-traps and their ecological possibly from the Central Highlands air temperatures for the suggested significance. J. Aust. Entomol. Soc. 16, (Carnarvon area), where there was departure area available, but the 3pm 59-61. abundant grassy vegetation in which temperature at nearby Roma was well Farrow, R.A. (1979). Changes in the distri- migratory locusts could have bred above average at 26.8C indicating bution and abundance of the migra- tory locust (Locusta migratoria L.) in during the preceding summer. This a warm evening ahead, suitable for Australia between 1973 and 1977 in region is thought to be the main locust take-off and flight. relation to outbreaks. CSIRO Aust. Div. breeding area of this locust in Aus- Entomol. Rep. No. 9. 32 pp. tralia (Farrow 1979). It is unlikely to References have been the only migratory locust Farrow, R.A. (1977). First captures of the flying that night, but no others have migratory locust, Locusta migratoria Collecting in Southern Mexico: Oaxaca and Guerrero states By RICARDO MARIÑO-PÉREZ1*, SALOMÓN SANABRIA-URBÁN2 BERT FOQUET1 & MARTINA E. POCCO3 1Texas A&M University, USA 2UNAM, FES-Iztacala, MEXICO 3CEPAVE-CONICET Museo de La Plata, FCNYM-UNLP, ARGENTINA *[email protected]
he Orthoptera fauna Ripipteryx tricolor (Figs. 1-3). This and harder and shorter front wings of Mexico is diverse, species prefers very humid habitats compared to the hind ones. They tend with currently more and it is often found next to sandy to form aggregations, and were indeed than 1,000 valid spe- shores of pools, streams, and small very abundant. They are hard to catch cies reported. One area ponds (Fig. 4). They have some due to their size and fast reaction TT of particular interest is intriguing modifications to this type speed when disturbed. We increased Southern Mexico, due to the pres- of habitat, such as plates on the hind our chances of catching them on the ence of a complex orthopterofauna, tarsi that help them move on the rocks by moistening the inner walls comprising Nearctic and Neotropical water, modified front legs for digging, of our vials with ethanol, a useful species, as well as several groups that have evolved in situ. This, together with the multiple mountain ranges of different ages and elevations harbor- ing a mosaic of contrasting environ- ments, makes it a unique and highly diverse area. For instance, the state of Oaxaca, which comprises less than 5% of Mexican territory, harbors 20% of the Mexican orthopterofauna. In this context, we conducted an expedi- tion last October to certain areas in the states of Oaxaca and Guerrero. In this article, we present photographic records of some of our most interest- ing findings.
Ripipterygidae In the Papalopan region of Oaxaca mainly surrounded by rainforest (around 390 masl), we were amazed by the tiny (only 4-10 mm!) species Figures 1-4. Species and habitats of Ripipterygidae observed in Oaxaca. Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 28 METALEPTEA (Dirsh & Mason, 1979). In previous expeditions, we were unsuccessful in finding them, even when visiting the type localities. This time we stopped very close to the localities provided by Dirsh & Mason (1979). After some hours of day collecting Bert was able to find an adult. Fortunately, we spent the night in a lodging next to the for- est and decided to check again during the night. It was cold and raining, so our expectations were low. To our surprise, they were there! Males, fe- males, and nymphs, just sitting in the leaf litter. Despite the fact that they possess bizarre cerci and are easily to identify as members of the family Xyronotidae, we had to review the internal genitalia to determine which of the two species we collected. Sa- Figures 5-8. Species and habitats of Xyronotinae observed in Oaxaca. lomón extracted the genitalia; follow- ing the illustrations provided by Dirsh and Mason (1979), we identified the specimens as Xyronotus cohni (Figs. 6-8). We collected a good series in a small area (no more than 100 m2) for morphological and molecular stud- ies. It appears that the population is healthy and this information will be used in the upcoming IUCN Red List evaluation for this species. It was good news to hear from the local people that many efforts have been done to preserve these humid forests (Figs. 5 & 7). The communities from the region understand very well how valuable the habitat is and they are organized to patrol the area.
Proctolabinae (Acrididae) In the rainforest of the Papaloapan Figures 9-12. Species and habitats of Proctolabinae observed in Oaxaca and Guerrero. region of Oaxaca, we saw a green me- tallic proctolabine that belongs to the tip from Sam Heads. When the tiny and Chiapas. There are only two species Tela bolivari (Fig. 9). Further, grasshoppers jump, they are imme- genera and four species. This group in tropical deciduous forest of the diately stuck on the moistened walls. is very old and the current evidence Balsas basin river, in Papalutla, Guer- Using this technique we were able to suggest that their closest relative is rero (around 1,600 masl) (Fig. 10) we collect a good series of males, females the Trigonopterygidae from the Far found Proctolabus mexicanus (Figs. and nymphs. East. In the cloud forest of the Sierra 11-12). This genus has a peculiar dis- Norte region of Oaxaca (1,600 masl; tribution from Sinaloa in Northwest- Xyronotidae Fig. 5), we searched for the enigmatic ern Mexico to Chiapas in Southern This mysterious family is endemic genus Xyronotus (Figs. 6-8), of which Mexico, but only on the Pacific side. to humid forests of Mexico from the two species are reported in this area: As you can appreciate in the photo- states of Puebla, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Xyronotus cohni and X. hubbelli graphs, their colors are spectacular. Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 29 METALEPTEA They were very abundant, with up to ten individuals in a single shrub.
Romaleidae Martina has experience in collecting romaleids in South America. How- ever, this was her first time to collect them in Mexico and we encountered several species. The common Tae- niopoda auricornis (Fig. 13) can be found in disturbed areas next to houses and crop land. Along Oaxaca’s mountain ranges they were very abun- dant and easy to grab them by hand. We also came across another species of Taeniopoda in Guerrero’s mountain ranges even though we were able to collect only very few specimens (Fig. 14). Another species that we com- monly found was Xyleus discoideus Figures 13-16. Species of Romaleidae observed in Oaxaca and Guerrero. mexicanus (Fig. 15). Its genus is comprised of 16 species of which 15 are distributed exclusively in South America. The only species (with two subspecies) of which the range extends further North is Xyleus dis- coideus rosulentus in Central America and X. d. mexicanus in Mexico. Like Taeniopoda, this romaleid is also sluggish, but it lacks its impressive colors. It is usually found on the Figures 17-18. Schistocerca nitens and Sphenarium histrio observed in Oaxaca. ground and it is easy to identify by its particular shape of the pronotum. FInally, another romaleid encountered on a few occasions was the colorful Chromacris colorata (Fig. 16). It is characterized by the coloration of its antennae: the basal half is yellow, while the more apical half is black.
Other Orthoptera During our expedition, we identi- fied several other species of Caelifera, including members of the genera Abracris, Aidemona, Melanoplus, Schistocerca (Fig. 17), and Sphen- arium (Fig. 18). Within Ensifera we found three species of Stilpnochlora (S. azteca, S. quadrata and S. tho- racica), Dichopetala mexicana (Fig. 19), Scudderia mexicana (Fig. 20), Philophyllia guttulata, Gongrocne- Figures 19-22. Some species of Ensifera observed in Oaxaca and Guerrero. mis sp. (Fig. 21), Orophus tesellatus, Insara spp., Phlugis chrysopa, Neo- Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 30 METALEPTEA conocephalus triops, and Copiphora azteca (Fig. 22), among others. Many of our records will help to increase the knowledge of distribution ranges and morphological variation of the identified species.
Southern Mexico has been explored for the last ten years and we are still finding new genera and species in almost every expedition. This trip was no exception and several new species of Acridoidea are in the process of being described.
Acknowledgments We want to thank Orthoptera Species File Grant, Hojun Song, and Raúl Cueva del Castillo for funding for the expedi- tion (Fig. 23-26). We also thank Víctor Ramírez Delgado and Miriam Illescas Figures 23-26. Fieldwork and expedition team. Aparicio for their help during the expedi- tion, and to the people and authorities rero), and Papalutla (Guerrero) towns for 10, 15, 24 & 26 by MEP; Fig. 4 by RMP; of San Mateo Yetla (Oaxaca), Santiago permits. Photographers: Figs. 7, 13, 14, Figs. 1, 2, 9, 11, 12, 18, 19, 20, 21 & 25 Camotlán (Oaxaca), Iliatenco (Guer- 16, 17, 22 & 23 by BF; Figs. 3, 5, 6, 8, by SSU. Orthopteroid Symposium Recap from the 2017 ESA Conference By DEREK A. WOLLER USDA: APHIS-PPQ-S&T-CPHST Phoenix Lab, AZ, USA [email protected] or the fourth year in the theme of the conference and the Blattodea (+Isoptera), Dermaptera, a row, there was an composition of the program, which Embiidina, Grylloblattodea, Manto- orthopteroid symposium included presentations on many of dea, Mantophasmatodea, Orthoptera, at the annual Entomo- the 10 extant orders of orthopteroids: Phasmatodea, Plecoptera, and Zorap- logical FF Society of America (ESA) conference (this time, in Denver, CO), that I co-organized with Ty- ler J. Raszick, a Ph.D. Candidate in Greg Sword’s lab at Texas A&M University. The 3.5-hour symposium was entitled “Orthop- teroids: Innovative Organisms to Ignite and Inspire Scientific Research and Com- munication” and Figure 1. Symposium organizers and speakers (left to right): back row: Dustin C. Krompetz, Alexandre V. Latchininsky, adequately reflected Mark Janowiecki, Bert Foquet, Oscar Salomon Sanabria-Urban, and Derek A. Woller; front row: Tyler J. Raszick, Hojun Song, Janice S. Edgerly, Marion Le Gall, Akira Wong Sato, Martina E. Pocco, and Shiala Naranjo. Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 31 METALEPTEA year, we made cies of the Puer Group (Orthoptera: use of the won- Acrididae: Melanoplinae: Melanop- derful orthop- lus) found in the southeastern U.S.A. teroid banners comprise a biological system of that the Society fascinating complexity that was heav- had constructed ily influenced by sea level fluctuations in 2017 (Fig. 1) during the Pliocene and Pleistocene, and which are especially during the latter. These past available for use sea level shifts resulted in an oceanic by any members island system that can now be classi- Figure 2. The after-symposium celebration at Rock Bottom Restaurant who wish to re- fied as a landlocked archipelago (also and Brewery in downtown Denver, CO. Good times! quest them from known as ridges), one that still reflects Hojun in whose the patterns of its ancestral roots in tera. Tyler kicked off the event with lab they currently terms of speciation and dispersal. To a brief introduction to orthopteroids reside. better understand patterns of specia- followed by 12 other speakers (Fig. tion in this group, we used a number 1), which included an undergraduate, An evolutionary retrospective of the of synergistic methods: molecular- graduate students, postdocs, and sea- Melanoplus Puer Group (Orthop- based phylogenetic reconstruction, di- soned researchers, with most traveling tera: Acrididae: Melanoplinae) vergence time estimation, correlative from within the U.S., but also from microscopy and 3D model reconstruc- 1 Japan, Argentina, and Mexico. Derek A. Woller ([email protected]) tion of copulation, and shape analysis 2 1 As always, I thought the presenta- and Hojun Song ; USDA: APHIS, PPQ, of male genitalia in an evolutionary CPHST Phoenix Lab, Phoenix, AZ, tions were all fascinating and en- time-based phylogenetic framework. U.S.A. and 2Department of Entomology, tertaining, and I think the audience Texas A&M University, College Station, This archipelago system is extraor- would agree since it was around 50 TX, U.S.A. dinarily young (25 million years old) strong at any given time, a very good compared to the rest of the southeast- turn-out. For your enjoyment, a brief The 27 flightless grasshopper spe- ern states (up to a billion years old) abstract and figure (for most) have and the Puer Group was estimated been provided below by each speaker (in order of presentation). Follow- ing the final keynote presentation by Hojun Song, almost everyone recon- vened at the first-ever meeting of the Arizona State University’s Global Locust Initiative led by Arianne Cease and Ariel Rivers (see their recap article elsewhere in this edition). Most of us then headed out to a wonderful dinner at a local place called Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery where good times were enjoyed by all (Fig. 2)! Tyler and I would like to graciously thank the Society’s officers for supporting the travel of Society member Oscar Salomon Sanabria-Urban from Mexico to give his neat presentation on his work with the genus Sphenarium (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae). Likewise, the ESA administration must also be thanked profusely for supporting the travel of Akira Wong Sato who came all the Figure 3. Bayesian analysis of estimated divergence time of the 27 Puer Group species (and four way from Japan to share his work on outgroups – in gray) run using BEAST2 and calibrated at three nodes using estimates of ridge plecopterans with us. Also, like last ages. Letters and colors correspond to the four major lineages recovered. Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 32 METALEPTEA to only be 3.71 million years old 1School of Sustainability, (Fig. 3). As predicted, our evidence Arizona State Univer- indicates that the biogeographical sity (ASU), Tempe, AZ, U.S.A., 2School of Life and speciation history of this system 3 was shaped dominantly by allopa- Sciences, ASU, School of Human Evolution try, most likely resulting from sea and Social Change, level changes, in the past and, more ASU, 4Direction de la recently, sexual selection, especially Protection des Végé- for the species in peninsular Florida. taux, Thiaroye, Dakar, Our quantitative evidence also Senegal added strong support for the concept, especially in light of evolutionary Before the 1970s time, that sexual selection is able to the Senegalese locust, drive genital evolution divergently Oedaleus senegalen- and rapidly. Our investigation of the sis, was not reported function of genital components (some to cause economic new to science) during copulation was damage. Today it is combined with our shape analyses of considered the main five of those genital components to pest of the African Sa- reveal that sexual selection’s evolu- hel. Previous research tionary tempo on these components indicates that O. is accelerating and/or decelerating. senegalensis locusts The relative speed was found to be are more abundant in dependent upon the component and fallow fields, but the its associated function(s). We also dis- mechanisms underly- covered that one of the youngest Puer ing this pattern are not Group clades has speciated at a rate known. We tested the high enough to possibly be the highest hypothesis that land yet for insects. use can promote locust The obvious complexity of this outbreaks by creating biological system requires additional nutritionally optimal investigation at finer scales in order to Figure 4. Locust perfor- further dissect the intriguing patterns mance on five artificial and processes of evolution herein re- diets in no-choice experi- vealed to be at work. Further analyses ment. The diets used range of the Puer Group, both quantitative from very carbohydrate- biased (e.g., p7:c35, 7% and descriptive, are encouraged, es- protein and 35% carbohy- pecially because the threat of destruc- drates), to very protein- tion and fragmentation of the group’s biased (p35:c7), and are xeric habitats (especially scrub) isocaloric (42% macronu- looms large. Speciation is still largely trients). Panel (A) shows mean development time a biological black box, but its inner throughout the last nymph- workings will continue to be slowly al stadium; panel (B) shows revealed with illuminating studies like wet mass gain throughout this one. the last nymphal stadium; panel (C) shows Specific Growth Rate (SGR); panel Linking land use and the nutri- (D) shows Performance tional ecology of locusts: The (SGR x % success molting). The color gradient varies case of the Senegalese locust from light (highest median) (Oedaleus senegalensis) to dark (lowest median). The plot shows the kernel Marion Le Gall1, Mira L. Word1, probability density of the data at different values. Different letters indicate statistically signifi- Balanding Manneh1,2, Ruth Farington1,2,3, cant differences between the five diet treatments (as determined by ANCOVA, using start mass Alioune B. Bèye4, and Arianne J. Cease1; as a covariate, and post hoc comparisons). Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 33 METALEPTEA niches. In this study, we 1) quantified non-swarming the nutritional landscape available to grasshoppers with O. senegalensis across different crop varying degrees of types (millet and groundnut), fallow, density-dependent and grazing fields; 2) measured how phase polyphen- nutrients affect locust foraging behav- ism (from clear to ior and performance using artificial negligible: Schis- diets; and 3) mapped the distribution tocerca ameri- of locusts found across 10 Senegalese cana, Schistocerca farms to our nutritional landscape and serialis cubense correlated it to the locust performance and Schisto- data. Our results show O. senega- cerca nitens). We lensis prefers and performs best on tested the effect carbohydrate-biased diets (14% of knockdown Figure 5. A spectrum of density-dependent phase polyphenism, from protein and 28% carbohydrates) and of well-chosen absent to complete: (a) Schistocerca nitens, a regular grasshopper. (b) fallow fields contain more plants that genes on density- S. serialis cubense (c) S. americana (d) S. piceifrons, a true locust. All are carbohydrate-biased. We discuss dependent phase images depict crowded-reared locusts. our results in light of general sustain- polyphenism. able management strategies for locust First, differential similar. Pacifastin-5 and yellow-b species. gene expression between both phases possibly have regulatory functions is investigated, after which the effect and are differentially expressed in Revealing the molecular archi- of target genes will be tested using both species. The JH-receptor was tecture of locust phase polyphen- knockdown by RNAi. RNA of five chosen due to large numbers of dif- ferentially expressed genes interacting ism using RNAi on the Central isolated-reared and crowded-reared individuals of each species was ex- with JH. American locust (Schistocerca Each group of 20-40 locusts was piceifrons) and non-swarming tracted and sequenced. Using edgeR and DEseq2, we discovered differen- injected twice with double-stranded relatives tially expressed genes between both RNA (dsRNA) targeting either the tar- rearing conditions for every species. get gene or GFP (control). The behav- Bert Foquet ([email protected]) and There is a clear congruency between ior of last instar-nymphs was recorded Hojun Song, Department of Entomology, for 10 minutes in a rectangular arena Texas A&M University, College Station, differentially expressed genes found with a stimulus chamber containing TX, U.S.A. in our study and in similar studies on other locust species, confirming 20-30 locusts on one side while the other side is empty. Locusts injected Locusts are grasshoppers that form the validity of our data. Furthermore, with dsRNA targeting pacifastin-5 or migrating swarms and show density- the aforementioned spectrum of yellow-b did not differ significantly dependent phase polyphenism, refer- polyphenism is also represented on a from the control group. Injecting dsR- ring to the existence of a solitarious molecular basis. NA targeting the JH-receptor induced and a gregarious phase. Solitarious lo- Using the produced data, ten target more gregarious behavior in contrast custs occur under low densities. They genes are selected based on (1) the to our hypothesis. Possibly, this is due are rather inactive, avoid each other, likelihood of playing a role in density- to a negative feedback-loop activated and nymphs are inconspicuously col- dependent phase polyphenism and by knockdown of this receptor. ored. When densities increase, locusts (2) having high expression levels in In conclusion, (1) the spectrum of go through remarkable changes: they crowded-reared locusts. We hypoth- density-dependent phase polyphenism become very active and are attracted esize that reducing the expression in our species is also represented at a to each other. Furthermore, nymphal of these genes will result in a more molecular level. (2) Pacifastin-5 and coloration changes to yellow/orange solitarious state in crowded-reared Yellow-b are differentially expressed with black spots. The morphological, locusts. Three genes (pacifastin-5, in both S. piceifrons and S. gregaria, physiological, and neurobiological yellow-b and Juvenile Hormone but knockdown appears to have no characteristics of this polyphenism (JH)-receptor) were already tested in behavioral effect in S.gregaria. (3) have been well-studied, but the mo- another locust species, S. gregaria, Juvenile hormone might play a role lecular basis is largely unknown. during an internship at the KULeu- in locust density-dependent phase We focus on a clade of closely ven, Belgium. As S. gregaria and S. polyphenism. related species, containing one locust piceifrons belong to the same genus, (Schistocerca piceifrons) and three results for both species are probably Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 34 METALEPTEA Differences and similarities be- in the presence of basal groups. These heterogeneity in the diversification tween Dictyoptera mitochondrial methods are normally immune to dif- of Neotropical Mexican insects has genomes ferent evolutionary histories, but low received little attention, especially sample size may have depressed its orthopteroid species, some of which Shiala Naranjo (smorales20@knights. usefulness. have biological, cultural, and eco- ucf.edu) and Hsin-Hsiung Huang, Uni- Machine learning was used to test if nomical importance. In this context, versity of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, base composition heterogeneity may the grasshoppers of the genus Sphen- U.S.A. have been the culprit behind the noise arium Charpentier, 1842 represent a generated when basal groups were good model to study diversification of Alignment-free clustering meth- added. Random forest is a pattern Neotropical grasshoppers because of ods and machine learning were used recognition tool that builds multiple their biological characteristics. In this to investigate the relationships of decision trees to grow a decision-for- project, we investigated the diversi- mitochondrial genomes of praying est that creates one unbiased ensemble fication patterns in the genusSphen - mantises (Mantodea) and cockroaches decision-tree. The classifier was able arium. Specifically, we explored the (Blattodea). Most multiple sequence to learn to distinguish between groups relative impact of historic events and alignment (MSA) methods require using only C+G content. In the future, evolutionary forces in the diversifica- complicated computation and uphold random forest could be applied to es- tion of the genus. evolutionary assumptions that can pecially messy groups or cryptic spe- Because the taxonomy of Sphe- lead to controversial results. Align- cies. Further research is needed to test narium was incompletely resolved ment-free clustering methods can the efficiency and applications of this we first re-evaluated the diversity of outweigh the disadvantages of MSA. method in whole genome sequences. the group analyzing the variation of Methods like kmer and natural vector morphological and genetic characters have shown promising results for Diversification patterns in Neo- in a wide geographic sampling of the using whole genomes to build evolu- tropical grasshoppers: The case genus. Using morphological and ge- tionary trees in viruses and bacteria. of the genus Sphenarium (Or- netic evidence together we recognized These methods require less RAM, thoptera: Pyrgomorphidea) 17 species of Sphenarium, of which 8 which can decrease analysis time represented new taxa. In addition, we from days to minutes. However, these Oscar Salomon Sanabria-Urban1 identified several instances of puta- methods are best used in ensemble ([email protected]), tive incipient speciation processes since they can neglect position of Hojun Song2, Ken Oyama3, and Raul within species with the widest geo- nucleotides and create uncertainty. A Cueva del Castillo1; 1Universidad Na- graphic distributions. Our Bayesian total of 55 Dictyoptera mitogenomes cional Autónoma de México (UNAM), phylogenetic reconstructions revealed were retrieved from GenBank. Trees Fes-Iztacala, Mexico, 2Department of a strong phylogeographic structure built using complete linkage cluster- Entomology, Texas A&M University, Col- of the monophyletic groups identi- 3 ing with natural vector and kmer-6 lege Station, TX, U.S.A., UNAM, Enes fied in the genus, suggesting that Unidad Morelia, Mexico with different combinations methods vicariance played an important role yielded expected results about the re- in the diversification of its genetic The Neotropical region harbors the lationships between species to species lineages. Moreover, our divergence greatest biodiversity on earth, which and family to family. In Mantodea time estimations indicated that the is mainly represented by insects. (n=16), Mantidae was well-estab- earliest divergence events in the genus Within this region, the Mexican ter- lished, while in Blattodea (n=36), the correlated spatially and temporally ritory represents an interesting place termites were the most established with the latest formation episodes of for studying insect diversification group. In Mantodea, Liturgusidae the Mexican Volcanic Belt (between because of its high insect diversity (consisting of Humbertiella nada, 7.5 and 3 Ma). However, most of the and because this area contains several Theopompa sp., and Leptomantella diversification of its diversification groups of different biogeographic albella) was well-distinguished from occurred mainly during the Pleisto- origins that intermingle and have Mantidae. Rhombodera spp. show cene glacial and interglacial cycles undergone further evolutionary diver- to be more closely related to Mantis between 2.6 and 0.01 Ma. gence. The complex geological and religiosa and Tenodera spp. than to All these lines of evidence indicate climatic history, as well as the envi- Statilia spp. As expected from numer- that the geologic and climatic history ronmental heterogeneity, of Mexico ous past studies, the genus Cryptocer- of Mexico had a considerable impact can explain its biodiversity. However, cus was well established in the termite on the lineage diversification ofSphe - so far studying and testing the impact cluster. However, trees using neigh- narium. Interestingly, we identified of historic events and environmental boring kmer failed to reach stability three broad patterns of differentia- Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 35 METALEPTEA feeding on dew and even on soft tissues of angio- sperm plants. Yet the role of stone- flies in pollination remains unclear. We studied the pollination sys- tem of Corylopsis gotoana (Hama- melidaceae) in a deciduous forest in Shiga Prefecture. In preliminary observations, we found that flow- ers of C. gotoana were mostly visited diurnally by bombyliid flies, Asian honeybee workers, bumble- bees, solitary bees, and, unexpectedly, by one stonefly Figure 6. Summary figure of some of the results of our project: A) Concatenated Bayesian phylogeny of Sphenarium species, Strophop- based on nucleotide sequences of five loci (CO1, CO2, 12S, ITS2, and H3) from 129 ingroup terminals. B) Geographic teryx nohirae distribution of major clades, and internal monophyletic and paraphyletic groups of Sphenarium and images of living in- dividuals of two of the new species identified. C-E) Patterns of genetic and morphological (male genitalia) differentiation (Taeniopterygidae: observed within Sphenarium species. Plecoptera) (Fig. 7). Further obser- tion that probably reflect a complex A novel Plecoptera–angiosperm vations showed interplay between evolutionary forces interaction: Flower visits, direct that the stonefly regularly visited the in the diversification of the group. On pollen feeding, and pollination small C. gotoana population during the other hand, a comparative phylo- by a stonefly species its flowering period, but were not genetic analysis to study the relation- the main flower visitors, and that the ship between climatic variation and Akira Wong Sato ([email protected]) male and female stonefly had differ- body size revealed a significant body and Makoto Kato, Kyoto University, ent behaviors. The male was more size cline, in which larger Sphen- Kyoto, Japan active, usually observed walking in arium species are associated with branches and inflorescences, likely warmer winters and smaller species Stoneflies (Plecoptera), likely the searching for mate partners. Whereas are associated with colder winters. most basal neopteran insects, are the female was less active and was This correlative evidence suggests the mostly known for their long-lived generally found resting or feeding in possibility that natural selection could aquatic nymphs, widely studied inflorescences. Additionally, the fe- have also enhanced the diversification because of their importance as water male visited C. gotoana flowers more of the group through local adaptation quality indicators. Whereas, the frequently than the male. Mating was on life history traits to climatic varia- short-lived terrestrial adults have been occasionally observed in branches and tion in these grasshoppers. The genus rarely studied in the field, and their inflorescences ofC. gotoana. Sphenarium provides the opportunity behavior, biology, and ecology are Pollen attached to the male and to study in more detail the process and poorly understood. Moreover, asso- female stoneflies belonged almost mechanism involved in speciation and ciations between adult stoneflies and solely to C. gotoana flowers. And this can improve our understanding terrestrial plants appear to be rare. even though both the male and female of the diversification of Neotropical Previous studies have reported facul- stoneflies were observed to feed on grasshoppers and insects. tative flower visits of adult stoneflies pollen directly from the flowers, Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 36 METALEPTEA display phylogenetic signal while, at the same time, some routines reflect lifestyle. For example, those that live on tree bark exposed to the elements are more likely to execute spinsteps over their dorsum and to their sides, creating more extensive silk sheets in the process compared to burrow- ing embiopterans. That research was based on simple transition matrices, such as the probability of going one from spinstep to another. The spin- ning motifs, however, are extremely complex and long because there are 28 possible footfall positions. We filmed dozens of individuals from 26 species and 9 families over an hour- long session for each female; most Figure 7. Strophopteryx nohirae stonefly visiting a flower on the plant Corylopsis gotoana. individuals displayed thousands of spinsteps. Because many individuals pollen attachment was higher in the production, as documented for confa- are creating complex domiciles, they female, particularly in the anten- miliar species. Interactions between also show transitions over time during nae, head, mouthparts, and thorax. stoneflies and angiosperms might a spinning bout from framework con- To assess the pollination efficiency be more common than thought and struction to spinsteps that reinforce of the stonefly, we introduced stone- particularly in the family Taeniopter- the emerging structure. fly samples withC. gotoana pollen ygidae, which has several records of All in all, the routines are more dusted in their bodies to C. gotoana interactions with an- inflorescences of other trees that were giosperms, besides previously bagged and emasculated the one presented in to prevent pollination. Results of this this study. introduction experiment showed that the stonefly contributes to pollination, Silk spinning but had a low success ratio. A further motifs of the Em- feeding experiment showed that adult bioptera: Insights feeding is necessary for the female from musicology stonefly to extend its life span. To conclude, this study illustrated Janice S. Edgerly the flower visits and direct pollen (jedgerlyrooks@scu. feeding by the stoneflyS. nohirae, edu), Brody Sandel, but, more importantly, it is the first Isabel Regoli, and study to demonstrate that stone- Onyekachi Okolo, flies can really pollinate flowers. Santa Clara Univer- The observations and results of the sity, Santa Clara, CA, experiments suggest that the stonefly, U.S.A. particularly the female, is a potential pollinator of C. gotoana. The adop- Embiopterans spin tion of the stonefly as a pollinator is by stepping in cho- considered an option to secure pol- reographed routines lination in the earliest spring in colder with their front feet Figure 8. An embiid spins by stepping with her front feet, releas- ing silk with each footfall. Circles represent the stereotypical step years, because the climatic regime while releasing silk fibers with each positions; diameter of each circle reflects proportion of steps in each is often different between terrestrial position. Lettering shows the octave (as a number) and musical note and aquatic habitats. Additionally, the spinstep. Recent attributed to each position. Musical scores using these notes (and female stonefly feeding in the adult research in our lab more to include all 28 spin-steps) generated for violin yielded lovely stage might be of importance for egg demonstrated that music. Compositions reveal aspects of spinning to the listener that spinstep routines are otherwise hard to interpret or detect. Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 37 METALEPTEA complex than any behaviors we have iors of embiopterans. In addition, we dimensions, acridids enter into severe examined before, and indeed, we continue to explore whether spinning competition for food with livestock were not able to find any methodol- motifs hold evidence of phylogenetic and wildlife and become extremely ogy from the behavior literature that relatedness for females that otherwise important economic pests. Locust would help define spinstep motifs of look very much alike no matter the and grasshopper outbreaks occur on such long lengths, let alone compare taxonomic affiliation. every continent except Antarctica and individuals to determine if there are affect 10% of the world population. species signatures. Thus, we turned to Locust and grasshopper manage- These pests are very mobile, highly the field of musicology after realizing ment worldwide: A challenge that polyphagous, and extremely vora- that the form our data takes is much inspires cious. Chemical control remains the more like music than other types main means of locust and grasshop- of information. Musicologists have Alexandre V. Latchininsky (latchini@ per control. During the Desert locust recently been working with computer uwyo.edu), University of Wyoming, Lara- (Schistocerca gregaria) upsurge of scientists as they seek to uncover mie, WY, U.S.A. 2003-2005, over 30 million acres patterns and sequences that define were treated with 3.5 million gallons compositions; there is a large body of Locusts and grasshoppers (Orthop- of broad-spectrum insecticides in 26 work. We therefore decided to tackle tera: Acridoidea) are an essential countries, with the total cost of the our research questions by applying component of normally functioning campaign exceeding half a billion string sequence analysis from the field grassland ecosystems worldwide. U.S. dollars. of musicology. They stimulate plant growth, partici- The challenges of controlling these Our preliminary results show pate in nutrient cycling, and repre- unique pests have inspired many promise. Cluster diagrams revealed sent an important part of food chain. scientists worldwide. C.V. Riley led that female spinners in some spe- Abiotic (weather), biotic (natural the U.S. Entomological Commission cies have strong similarity in their enemies), and anthropogenic (agricul- to study and control the devastating spinning routines, even for those tural practices) factors generally keep Rocky Mountain locust Melanoplus that execute thousands of spinsteps. acridid populations in check. How- spretus in the 1870s-1880s. Norman Other individuals seem to be more ever, from time to time they escape Criddle developed an efficient recipe spontaneous, such as some oligoto- controls and their populations explode for grasshopper baiting in Canada mid species, which interestingly are to catastrophic proportions. During in the late 19th – early 20th centuries, also the same species that have been outbreaks, which in the case of the which was subsequently used for introduced throughout the world; locusts can reach transcontinental decades in North America. Sir Boris their ability to adapt to new habitats might align with greater spontaneity in behavior. In addition to our search for phylogenetic signal, we also transformed spinning routines into music by coding spinsteps as musical notes and producing graphs (using R Studio) that resemble musical scores tuned for the violin (Fig. 8). Listen- ing to these scores played on a violin reveals the repeated and complex motifs in a beautiful way. One can hear patterns that resemble songs and verses, or movements in a symphony, where elements of the song stay intact but improvisation and/or modula- tions provide variety, and the different motifs repeat, disappear, and then re- appear. “Spinning music” sounds like a lovely musical composition. Future work will include greater emphasis on musical composition as a way to Figure 9. Ultra-Low Volume (ULV) spraying against the Moroccan locust, Dociostaurus marocca- illustrate the complex spinning behav- nus, in a semi-desert in Uzbekistan. Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 38 METALEPTEA Uvarov elucidated the mystery of present challenges, and inspire pest to the existing aviation assets of the locust phases in the 1920s, established managers, in the 21st century. day. The introduction of Unmanned the famous London Anti-Locust Re- Aircraft Systems (UAS) and the search Centre and pioneered interna- Survey of rangeland using miniaturization of electronics, pro- tional cooperation in locust manage- remote sensing tools to assess ducing lightweight sensors and flight th ment in the mid-20 century. In the forage saved control equipment, has created a new former Soviet Union, for the first time potential for remote sensing to affect in the world, agricultural aviation Dustin C. Krompetz1 (dustin.krompetz@ rangeland survey through increased was introduced into locust control in m3cg.us), Michael Milam1, Nathan resolution and flexible use. We exist the 1920s. Later, in the 1950s, a new Moses-Gonzales1, Larry Jech2, and Derek in the age of cheap, commercially technology called Ultra-Low Volume Woller2, 1M3 Consulting Group LLC, available aerial platforms in tandem spraying was developed for locust Dayton, OH, U.S.A, 2USDA: APHIS- with an increasing diversity of light- control in desert areas of Africa. ULV PPQ-S&T-CPHST Phoenix Lab Range- weight sensors. does not need water and remains the land Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket Using multispectral analysis of main technology to spray locusts in Management Team, Phoenix, AZ, U.S.A. rangeland, we hypothesized that arid zones (Fig 9). rangeland grasshopper and Mormon The enormous scale of locust and Rangeland grasshoppers and Mor- cricket populations may be estimated grasshopper infestations is a huge mon crickets are a perennial threat and delimited by classifying pixels challenge for monitoring their popu- to North American rangelands. Left within an NDRE vegetation index as lations. It inspired researchers to unchecked, native rangeland dam- plant or soil area and comparing these develop applications of geospatial aged by outbreak populations can classifications temporally. We tested technologies, such as satellite imag- be overwhelmed by invasive plant this hypothesis using eight 40-acre ery and GIS, to locust ecology. Now species, which can infest productive plots of rangeland near Encino, NM these technologies are an integral part range with less desirable plants. The during the summer of 2017. Multi- of locust forecasting in Africa and cornerstone of management efforts is spectral images were gathered over Australia; however, in other parts of field survey to determine the grass- each plot on the 24th of June and the world this approach is still lack- hopper species present on the range- again on the 25th of September using ing. Drones appear a promising tool land, population density, and forage a MicaSense Red Edge Multispectral for locust and grasshopper monitoring availability. sensor. Four of the eight plots were and this technology is being currently Efforts to create a force multiplier treated with Dimilin to remove the actively developed in different geo- for field survey methods are of in- grasshopper population and provide a graphic areas. creasing interest to rangeland manag- comparison to a low population area. Another important challenge of ers. Remote sensing was utilized to Each pixel within the imaged areas locust control is the massive use of assist rangeland pesticides. As mentioned before, managers by during outbreaks millions of acres analyzing the are covered with broad-spectrum topography neurotoxins worldwide. An alterna- of rangeland tive, which is gaining speed, is the use through aerial of natural controls, such as micro- black and white bial pathogens, to provoke locust photography and grasshopper epidemics. Such during the 1930s. an approach is much more selective The next major and less environmentally hazardous. advance was the There are several entomopathogenic onset of satellite fungi which serve as active ingre- remote sensing, dients for locust and grasshopper which offered biopesticides. Another alternative is a method for to use lower-toxicity pesticides, such assessing range- as Insect Growth Regulators applied land on a broad in intermittent swaths; this method scale through an became the preferred way to control increased sensor field of view grasshoppers on U.S. rangelands. Figure 10. Percentage of pixels classified as soil, grass, or shrub. Locusts and grasshoppers continue to in comparison Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 39 METALEPTEA was classified as soil, grass, or shrub nests, food items, and foraging trails, and then played back to a different (Fig. 10). The results from this experi- to entire foraging areas. This project colony in a planar arena. This will test ment are still being analyzed. examines territoriality in subterra- the importance of vibrational cues to Future exploration of the hypothesis nean termites, Reticulitermes spp., colony detection. Additionally, the involves the direct measurement of by investigating how termites detect role of gut microbes will be assessed forage height and fractional cover to other nearby termite colonies, how in these arenas. The microbes will be estimate the available biomass of the they then recognize their own colony, knocked out with antibiotics and then rangeland. We plan to next compare and, finally, their reaction to opposing reintroduced from a different colony data sets using a LiDAR sensor dur- termite colonies. To tease apart these through trophallaxis or proctodeal ing nymph development and attempt processes, a field site was established feeding. These termites with newly to ascertain forage loss from feed- at the Sam Houston State University introduced microbial fauna can be ing. The measurement of forage loss, Center for Biological Field Studies in paired in arenas with control individu- temporally, may allow for the estima- Huntsville, Texas. Two 28 m x 28 m als from their original colony, as well tion of the density of the grasshopper grids were created with pine stakes as members of the colony the new mi- populations. Spatial measurements placed 2 m apart. Samples from these crobial profile was introduced from, of available forage, using the direct monitors were collected monthly and to compare the aggressive responses measurement of forage height and genetically identified to species. Each between groups. fractional cover, may allow for an group of actively foraging termites A better grasp of these processes is expedited method to delimit high was then genotyped with microsatel- important to a more complete under- density, hot spot, grasshopper popula- lite markers to determine colony iden- standing of termite biology. Also, if tions without the need for a temporal tity. In the first 16 months (September understood, these cues could be engi- analysis. 2016 to December 2017), termite neered into a mechanism of control- activity appeared to be correlated with ling pest termite species by causing Territoriality in Reticulitermes: soil temperature (Fig. 11). either civil wars within colonies or Insights from field and lab stud- Termites from this field site will battles between colonies by manipu- ies be collected and brought back into lating cues of recognition and avoid- the laboratory for behavioral stud- ance. Mark Janowiecki (janowiecki@tamu. ies. These will consist of petri plate edu) and Edward Vargo, Department of aggression assays, the standard but Insights into the evolutionary Entomology, Texas A&M University, Col- less realistic setup in which termites history of the Neotropical Roma- lege Station, TX of each colony are differentiated leinae (Acridoidea, Orthoptera) by feeding on dyed filter paper and Territoriality, the occupation and introduced into a petri plate for a Martina E. Pocco1, Noelia V. Guzmán2, defense of an area, is common across set amount of time. Planar assays, Viviana A. Confalonieri2, Hojun Song3 & animals. In social insects, like ter- where an area of media is sandwiched M. Marta Cigliano1; 1Centro de Estudios mites, this territoriality can vary from between two sheets of Plexiglas al- Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CEPAVE), lowing termites CONICET – UNLP, Museo de La Plata 2 to tunnel in a – UNLP, La Plata, Argentina, Departa- 2 dimensional mento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, space, will be UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 3Depart- used as a more ment of Entomology, Texas A&M Univer- field relevant sity, College Station, TX, USA. test of aggres- sion. In these The subfamiliy Romaleinae (Ro- assays, various maleidae), with more than 250 valid cues can be iso- species in 69 genera, occurs in the lated and tested. Americas, mainly in the Neotropical For example, Region. Its distributional range covers the vibrational a wide variety of habitats, extend- signature of a ing from Argentina with diminishing Figure 11. Termite activity (red dots), measured by the percent of stations colony will be diversity to the south of the Nearctic with active termite foraging for the first 16 months. Additionally, soil -tem recorded from a region. One of the hypotheses on the perature (green) and moisture (black) are plotted for the same timespan single colony in diversification of the group suggests (source: nrcs.usda.gov). a planar arena Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 40 METALEPTEA pers. However, this is a preliminary study and we have uncer- tainty regarding some relationships, e.g., the position of the Hisy- chiini within the Ro- maleini clade. Further studies, including a wider taxon and char- acter sampling, will be conducted in order to obtain a more robust phylogenetic hypothe- sis for the Romaleinae and to test the biogeo- graphic hypothesis for the whole subfamily.
The future of or- thopteran system- atics
Hojun Song (hsong@ tamu.edu), Department Figure 12. Areas of the Neotropical region (Morrone, 2014) used for the biogeographic analysis, and estimation of of Entomology, Texas the ancestral area and colonization direction for the Romaleini sensu lato (BioGeoBEARS, BAYAREALIKE + J). A&M University, Col- lege Station, TX, U.S.A. a tropical South American origin, and We defined six areas following the considers that the colonization of the regionalization of the Neotropical Orthoptera is the largest polyne- temperate zones of South America region by Morrone (2014). opteran order with more than 27,800 might have occurred earlier than the The results of the phylogenetic valid species, consisting of two extension to the temperate zones of analysis (Fig. 12) recovered with low monophyletic suborders, Ensifera and North America (Carbonell, 1986). support all the genera of Romaleini Caelifera. In recent years, a number Here we test this hypothesis for the sensu lato considered in this study of molecular phylogenetic stud- tribe Romaleini sensu lato based on a except for the genus Antandrus (en- ies focusing on various orthopteran phylogeny established on morphologi- demic to Chile) and the South Ameri- groups have been published, which cal and molecular evidences. The total can genus Diponthus. Furthermore, have collectively advanced our under- evidence data set included 35 species the representatives of Hisychiini were standing of the biology and evolution (47 specimens) representing 19 gen- included in this major clade, grouped of this fascinating group of insects. era of Romaleini sensu lato and six with the North American members of Some of these findings have provided outgroup species (6 specimens) of Ro- the Romaleini. The BAYAREALIKE novel insights into understanding the maleinae (Phaeopariini, Hisychiini), + J resulted as the most probable higher-level relationships as well as Ommexechidae and Tristiridae. The model in BioGeoBEARS, inferring the evolution of major orthopteran morphological set was constituted by that the ancestral area for the clade lineages, including Tettigoniidae, 92 characters from external morphol- of Romaleini, including the members Gryllidae, and Acrididae. It has also ogy and male genitalia, and the mo- of Hisychiini, was set in the Chacoan become evident that there are several lecular set included fragments of COI, and Brazilian subregions (Fig. 12), clades that would require additional COII and H3 markers. We performed and the major diversification of the studies in order to fully understand a Bayesian Analysis (BEAST v1.8.3), group might have occurred in this their phylogenetic relationships and and the tree obtained was analyzed area too. there are many challenges in achiev- using the R package BioGeoBEARS Our results suggest a colonization ing full resolution. (Matzke, 2013) to estimate the ances- route from South America to North Although most phylogenetic studies tral geographic range of the group. America for this group of grasshop- of Orthoptera are still largely lim- Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 41 METALEPTEA ited to Sanger data or mitochondrial genomic data generated using next- generation sequencing, I reported current progress made in collabora- tion with the 1KITE consortium and our approach to combine transcrip- tome and mitochondrial genome data to infer the phylogeny of Orthoptera (Fig. 13). While we have made great strides in molecular phylogenetics, we are also rapidly losing our taxo- nomic expertise. I discussed histori- cal reasons why we have entered the era of taxonomic impediments and highlighted some interesting groups, such as Eumastacoidea, Gryllacridi- dae, and Rhaphidophoridae, which are in urgent need of a new generation of taxonomic experts. Figure 13. A combined phylogeny of Orthoptera based on transcriptome and mitochondrial data. The 2nd Eurasian Orthopterological Symposium (Novosibirsk, Russia, August, 2-3, 2017) By MICHAEL G. SERGEEV Novosibirsk State University Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, RUSSIA [email protected]
he 2nd Eurasian Orthop- terological Symposium was organized as a satel- lite meeting during the 15th Congress of Russian TT Entomological Society (Novosibirsk, 2017, July 31–August 7) and the Symposium was held in August 2–3. The Symposium was hosted by Novosibirsk State Univer- sity and the Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals. Orthopterists from different parts of Russia – from Moscow to Vladivostok – could meet during the Symposium. The Program of the Congress included special time for formal and informal meet- ings of the orthopterists. They were also involved in activity of other sessions of the Congress. During Bryodema gebleri gebleri (Fischer de Waldheim), female, in the mountain semi-desert of the the Symposium and informal meet- central part of Tuva (South Siberia) (Photo credit: M. G. Sergeev) ings the orthopterists could discuss
Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 42 METALEPTEA some actual problems of orthopteran always the case. The author is the first in two different ways, alternating systematics, geography, and ecology, to apply the method of synchronous them during the emission of one and develop some ideas concerning recording of sounds and vibrosignals phrase. At the beginning of phrase the cooperation between different groups produced by male orthopterans on contraction of thorax muscles trans- of researchers. Some prospects to two separate channels of a digital mits as a well-defined vibrosignal prepare and publish a comprehensive recorder. Rather complete picture of via middle limbs into the substrate. It book about Orthopteroidea of Tuva mixed sound-vibrational intersexual is followed by a tremulation (large- (South Siberia) have been specially communication has been obtained amplitude trembling) of hind limbs in discussed. Additionally, the attendees for some representatives of katydids a horizontal plane, perpendicular to discussed some issues of applied acri- (Tettigoniidae), crickets (Gryllidae), the body axis, also inducing specific dology: new approaches to population and grasshoppers (Acrididae: Gom- vibrations. It is possible that such role management, some opportunities to phocerinae and Oedipodinae). It was of communication has been developed use remote sensing technologies and found that males of all species studied in this species due to fierce competi- new types of biological acridicides. use specific sound and vibrational sig- tion for communication channels After the Congress, all attending nals during courtship. Besides, their in the multispecies communities of orthopterists were asked to prepare calling sound signals lack the similar singing insects of South-East Asia. English versions of their abstracts for vibrational component. For instance, The analysis of all data allows us to publication in Metaleptea, which can rhythmic abrupt jerking of the entire conclude that the occurrence of the be found below body, which induce high-amplitude special vibrational channel in inter- vibrational pulses, is observed in sexual sound communication among Mixed sound-vibrational com- grasshoppers and crickets during representatives of different groups of munication in Orthoptera stridulation performed by a male next the orthopteran insects can be an ad- to the female. At the same time, a ditional way of interspecific isolation, A. A. BENEDIKTOV soundless tremulation of hind limbs, and also play an important role in Department of Entomology, Faculty of which induce well-registered vibra- keeping a female next to the courting Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State Uni- tions in the substrate, is noticed in a male. versity, Moscow, Russia. similar situation prior to stridulation The investigation was supported by [email protected] in some grasshoppers living among the grant R&D vegetation and leaf litter (Acrididae: (No АААА-А16-116021660095-7). Sometimes it is almost impossible Gomphocerinae). In contrast, geophi- to draw a clear boundary between lous species (Acrididae: Oedipodinae) Key words: sound signal, vibrational signal, sound and vibrational signals in had almost completely switched to a communication, Orthoptera, stridulation, bioacoustics, since sound signals vibrational communication channel tremulation themselves cause oscillations in (strikes against substrate, tremula- solid media. Besides, a singing insect tions), using sound much more rare Translocation model of the sex can secondarily induce vibrations than other orthopteran species studied. chromosomes evolution in the in substrate without direct contact. Recently we have discovered spe- Pamphagidae grasshoppers Until now, in most cases sound and cific mixed sound-vibrational com- vibrational signals of insects have munication in the small rice grasshop- A. G. BUGROV1,2*, I. Y. JETY- 1,3 1,2 been studied separately. Moreover, the per Pseudoxya diminuta (Walker) BAYEV , O. G. BULEU et N. B. vibrational communication of Orthop- RUBTSOV2,3 (Acrididae: Oxyinae). Both sexes of 1 tera remains practically unexplored. Institute of Systematics and Ecology of this species have developed tympanal 2 Recently for the acridid insects, which Animals, Novosibirsk, Russia; Novosi- organs for hearing. Receptive females birsk State University, Novosibirsk, Rus- produce sounds by rubbing their hind produce rather loud sound signals sia; 3Institute of Cytology and Genetics, legs against forewings, the curves of by spines of hind tibiae scratching Novosibirsk, Russia. motion algorithm of hind legs have against forewings and thereby attract *[email protected] been registered additionally and then males. Besides, other females are compared with the amplitude-time probably warned of occupancy of the In Pamphagidae we described an modulation of the sound oscillogram. territory (this is part of the function unusual event for the grasshoppers’ In the case the movements of the of calling signals). Vibrosignals are karyotype evolution: translocation of hind legs are not accompanied by an not noticed for females, and also no an autosome to the X-chromosome. audible sound from stridulations, they sound signals are known for males. This chromosome rearrangement are interpreted as demonstrational. Unlike females, males produce only resulted in formation of a new Our studies have shown that it is not vibrational signals at close distances mechanism of the sex determination: Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 43 METALEPTEA neo-XY♂/XX♀. We searched for may be used as an additional phyloge- irregular depend on substrate. Egg- diversity of structural variants of the netic signal in the tribe Nocarodeini. mass is enveloped by finely meshed, sex chromosomes in previously un- The painting revealed no homolo- shining, brown froth and with frothy investigated 40 species belonging to gous repeats in the sex chromosomes layers in between eggs. The egg-pod Pamphagidae from South and North between the subfamilies Thrinchinae wall is either absent (for the egg-pods Africa, Asia Minor, Transcaucasia and Pamphaginae. We suggest that on leaves), or of plant remains and and Central Asia. We showed that all heterochromatinization of the neo-Y soil particles cemented by froth (in studied species of the tribe Nocaro- chromosome involves amplification of leaf litter), or of weakly cemented deini (Pamphaginae) and most species random rapidly evolving DNA repeats soil particles (in soil layer). Egg-pods from the genera Asiotmethis Uvarov in different lineages of species. are either on leaves, or in leaf axils, and Glyphotmethis Bey-Bienkoi (Th- This work was supported by the or in leaf litter, or in soil layer. Egg- rinchinae) have the neo-XY♂/XX♀ RFBR (15-04-04816). pods dispose either up to 0.5–0.7 mm sex chromosome system in contrast above soil-surface (in two first cases) to other Pamphagidae, which have Key words: grasshopper, Pamphagidae, sex or 5–7 mm below it (in last case). common for the orthopteran insects chromosome, neo-XY chromosome, transloca- Such type of disposition is suitable the X0♂/XX♀ sex determination. The tion, chromosome evolution, phylogeny for heating and early development. evolutionary trends towards the min- This is especially important for the iaturization and heterochromatization Altitudinal distribution of Or- mountain tundras. Three species of of the Y chromosome and different thoptera in the North Urals the genus Tetrix Latreille occur in the stages of this process in the subfami- piedmont and mountain areas. Their lies Thrinchinae and Pamphaginae M. E. CHERNYAKHOVSKIY egg-laying peculiarities allow them indicate the independent origin of the Institute of Biology and Chemistry, also to live in the local mountains. Moscow State Pedagogical University, neo-Y chromosome in these subfami- Besides, some specimens of Melanop- Moscow, Russia lies (Jetybayev et al., 2017). lus frigidus (Boheman) was observed Original microdissected DNA in the lower part of the mountain In the North Urals, 21 species of probes from different regions of the tundra belt. Thus, structures and dis- Orthoptera have been found, namely neo-Y and the neo-X chromosomes positions of egg-pods are the limiting 1 species of Gryllidae, 4 of Tettigo- of the species of the tribe Nocaro- factors for altitudinal shifts of orthop- niidae, and 16 species of Acridoidea. deini, the genera Asiotmethis and teran species in the region. Field studies were organized in the Glyphotmethis (Thrinchinae) were Pechora-Ilych Nature Reserve in the generated. Heterologous chromosome Key words: Orthoptera, North Urals, egg-pod, Komi Republic (the north-eastern painting in Asiotmethis and Glypho- mountain tundra, altitudinal distribution part of European Russia) from 2005 tmethis species with the Asiotmethis until 2012. Two grasshoppers spe- heptapotamicus (Zubovsky). DNA Katydids and crickets (Orthop- cies, namely Chorthippus apricarius probes revealed significant homol- tera, Ensifera) in the forest- (Linnaeus) and Сhorthippus paral- ogy of repeated DNA sequences in lelus (Zettestedt), were found for steppes of right-bank Priob’e the neo-Y chromosomes in different the first time in the North Urals. The (South Siberia) species of these genera. This result long-term investigations allow to underscores the weak divergence of reveal some evident pattern of the O. V. EFREMOVA the molecular composition of the Y Novosibirsk State University, Novosi- orthopteran altitudinal distribution. chromosome within this group of birsk, Russia. Almost all species both of katydids species. Heterologous chromosome [email protected] and grasshoppers are associated with painting in the Nocarodeini species local plains where they populate with the Nocaracris cyanipes (Fischer The landscapes on the right-bank meadow openings, swamps and clear- de Waldheim), Nocaracris rubripes of the Ob Rivers are a mosaic of ings. The only Podismopsis poppiusi (Fischer de Waldheim), Nocaracris different relief forms: some parts of (Miram) occurs in the altitudinal belts tardus Ünal et al., and Paranocarodes West Siberian Plain, piedmont hills of the alpine meadows and moun- tolunayi Ramme DNA probes also of Salair Range, Salair Range per se, tain tundras. Its abundance may be revealed the homology of repeated intermountain Kuznetsk Basin. They relatively high, up to 3–5 per square DNA sequences in the Y chromo- are in the region with a humid conti- meter. This pattern may be explained some in some species groups, but not nental climate. The areas are charac- by some adaptations of the species between all studied species of these terized by complicated combination especially associated with egg-laying groups. Furthermore, the intensity of of both, natural (steppes, meadows, process. The shape of its egg-pods is the painting signal between species forests) and transformed (agricultural Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 44 METALEPTEA fields, pasturelands, urban landscapes, and the first floors of houses as well formed by 8 species: Gampsocleis land changed by coal mining, etc.) as heating mains. We have not found sedakovii (Fischer von Waldheim), habitats. It provides conditions for the yet Tettigonia caudata (Charpen- Montana montana (Kollar), Omoces- dwelling of various Ensifera (Or- tier), Montana eversmanni (Kittari), tus haemorrhoidalis (Charpentier), thoptera). The report is based on both Metrioptera brachyptera (Linnaeus), Glyptobothrus maritimus jacutus original data collected in 1998–2008 and Modicogryllus frontalis (Fieber), Storozhenko, Gomphocerus sibiricus and some published data (Tarbinsky, previously noted in the Kuznetsk (Linnaeus), Aeropedellus variegatus 1925; Berezhkov, 1946; Skalon N., Basin (Berezhkov, 1946; Skalon N., variegatus (Fischer von Waldheim), 1997; Skalon O., 2008). The author 1997; Skalon O., 2008). The zoogeo- Celes skalozubovi Adelung, and is sincerely appreciated to Dr М. G. graphical analysis revealed that the Bryodemella tuberculata (Fabricius). Sergeev for opportunities to use his Ensifera fauna of the region consists Chorthippus fallax (Zubovsky) and materials from 1979, 1981, 1983. of the species belonging to the quite Euthystira brachyptera (Ocskay) In the forest-stepped landscapes of different faunistic complexes associ- were less common. Chorthippus this region, there are 17 species of ated with (1) the steppes of West Asia albomarginatus (De Geer) inhabited Ensifera belonging to two superfami- (37 %), (2) the nemoral landscapes the meadow steppes and abandoned lies: Tettigonioidea (Tettigoniidae of the West Palearctic (14 %), (3) the fields. On the Lena-Amga interfluve, only) and Grylloidea (Gryllidae semi-deserts of West Asia (37 %), (4) with its well known and widely dis- and Gryllotalpidae). The level of the forests of the East Palearctic (7 tributed the thermokarst depressions the Ensifera diversity is relatively %), the forest-steppes of the West Pa- (or alases), Montana eversmanni low in comparison with the fauna of learctic (7 %), the steppes of Central (Kittary) and Arcyptera albogenicu- the left-bank (the so-called Baraba Asia (7 %), the Paleosubtropical areas lata (Ikonnikov) have been recorded forest-steppe) due to drastic decrease (7 %), the deserts of West Asia (7 %). (in the Tyungyulyu vicinities). The in the steppe species. The fauna of local orthopteran assemblages usually the right-bank area is similar to the Key words: Ensifera, katydid, cricket, South consists from 3 to 9 species. The rich- corresponding faunas of adjacent Siberia, distribution, biodiversity est assemblages (7–9 species) were in mountain regions (Altay and Sayans) the forb-grass steppes on the southern with which it shares 11 common spe- Orthopteran assemblages in the slopes of the Lena River valley and cies (Storozhenko, 2004). The most steppe landscapes of Central in the meadow steppes on the river humid habitats (flood-plain grassy Yakutia terraces. The poorest assemblages meadows, swamp grassy meadows, (1–2 species) were recorded in the meadows in depressions) are inhab- Yu. V. ERMAKOVA petrophytic steppes on the slopes of ited by Roeseliana roeselii (Hagen- Institute for Biological Problems of the the Amga River valley. bach). In flood-plain osierbeds, tall Cryolithozone, Yakutsk, Russia. All studied assemblages are char- grass meadows, wastelands and forest [email protected] acterized by the low and moderate belts, Tettigonia cantans (Fuessly) is biodiversity levels. The Shannon often found. Open and more warm The distinct feature of the land- diversity index did not exceed 1.98. habitats, formed out of forbs with an scapes of Central Yakutia is the pres- The Pielou evenness index varied admixture of meadow grasses, attract ence of steppe vegetation among the between 0.42 to 0.94. The abundance Poecilimon intermedius (Fieber), Bi- larch taiga. Such habitats are confined levels were from the low to moderate colorana bicolor (Philippi). In steppe by treeless south-exposed slopes of ones (24–232 per hour). The qualita- meadows, Gampsocleis sedakovii river valleys, upper terraces, and the tive and quantitative compositions of (Fischer de Waldheim), Decticus periphery of the so-called alas depres- assemblages are determined by com- verrucivorus (Linnaeus), Phaner- sions. The study was conducted in position of plant associations, human optera falcata Poda joins them. In 1997–2011 covering different regions activity, and climatic fluctuations. the meadow and sagebrush steppes, of Central Yakutia (the Amga River The most xeric variants of steppes on Montana montana (Kollar) occurs valley, the Lena–Amga interfluve, slopes were characterized by absolute too. Two species of crickets, namely the Lena River valley, and the south- dominance of Glyptobothrus mari- Dianemobius fascipes (F. Walker) and western part of the Lena–Vilyuy inter- timus jacutus (scoring V according Melanogryllus desertus (Pallas), are fluve). In total, 17 orthopteran species to the scale of relative abundance by distrubuted over well-warmed rocky have been recorded, most of them be- Pesenko (1982)). Chorthippus al- slopes, beaches and heaps of gravel as long to the family Acrididae, two spe- bomarginatus and Omocestus haem- well as along the roads. The synan- cies are of the family Tettigoniidae, orrhoidalis were very abundant in thropic Acheta domesticus (Linnaeus) and the only species is of Tetrigidae. the meadow steppes on river terraces. is widely spread, populating cellars The core of steppe assemblages was In the Amga River valley, an unique Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 45 METALEPTEA assemblage with predomination of labeled with the phosphorylated form of the late pachytene the number of Stenobothrus lineatus (Panzer) was of histone H2AX (γ-H2AX). Then, signals decreased, their number and revealed on the slope covered by there is a search for homology and position on the chromosome often the petrophytic Festuca–Pulsatilla– repair with recombinase Rad51. Only corresponded to the usual position of Orostachys steppe. This species is a part of these DSB leads to crossover chiasmata in the species. The same usually found in the forb vegetation exchange. Now the two most common pattern was for Rad51. In general, the along the larch forest openings. Two variants of these events sequence are sequence of events revealed in the major types of the steppe orthopteran known, which are described for dif- prophase of meiosis in the cockroach assemblages can be distinguished ferent taxa (Viera et al., 2004; Zickler, was close to that described in Locusta in Central Yakutia based on spe- Kleckner, 2016). Both of which are migratoria (Orthoptera: Acrididae). cies composition, structure, and found in insects. In the first variant, However, the pattern of signal distri- landscape–biotopic preferences: (1) DSB, homology search and recom- bution at different stages in N. cinerea Assemblages of the relic steppes with bination precede the synapsis (Mus demonstrated some peculiarities. The dominance of Glypthobotrus mariti- musculus Linnaeus, Saccharomyces γ-H2A signal on the X chromosome, mus jacutus and (2) assemblages of cerevisiae Meyen ex E. C. Hansen, unlike the Migratory locust, was not the forb steppes and ruderal vegeta- and locust. Another variant was found detected. tion. in the roundworms and fruit flies, The study was conducted within organisms whose homologues are Key words: Speckled cockroach, Nauphoeta the frame of the Basic Project synapted constantly, so the synapsis cinerea, meiosis, recombination, synapsis АААА-А17-117020110058-4. precedes recombination. The cockroach N. cinerea has Faunistic barriers and zoogeo- Key words: Orthoptera, assemblage, biodiver- 2N♂ = 36 + X0 (Desai, 1970). In graphical regionalization of the sity, steppe, Central Yakutia this species, the large and medium central part of the Volga-Kama metacentric chromosomes with huge region based on the data on Or- Meiosis in the Speckled cock- C-heterochromatin blocks that occupy thoptera and butterflies (Lepi- roach Nauphoeta cinerea (Olivi- almost the entire one of chromosome doptera, Rhopalocera) er) (Blaberidae): Close to either arms were found (Kornienko et al., the Migratory locust or Com- 2009). During the leptotenes and zy- I. O. KARMAZINA*, N. G. mon fruit fly? gotenes these heterochromatin blocks PETROV** et N. V. SHULAEV*** do not involve in the synapse and are Kazan (Volga region) Federal University, A. M. GUSACHENKO1*, O. S. KORN- located in the region of the nucleus Kazan, Russia. IENKO1, A. A. TORGASHEVA2** et L. opposite to the “bouquet” of synaptic *[email protected] V. VYSOTSKAYA1 regions. We investigated the dynamics **[email protected] 1Novosibirsk State University, Novosi- of synapsis and recombination in the ***[email protected] birsk, Russia; 2Insitute of Cytology and Speckled cockroach by immunolocal- Genetics, Novosibirsk, Russia. ization of key meiotic proteins (An- The Volga-Kama region covers *[email protected] derson et al., 1999; Viera et al., 2004) a vast territory in the basin of the **[email protected] on the preparations of spreading Middle Volga River and its tributaries, spermatocytes (Peters et al., 1997). being bounded by the Ural Moun- Meiosis provides the formation To visualize the axes of chromosomes tains in the east. With regards to the of cells with a reduced number of and the formation of synaptonemal territorial division, the central part of chromosomes. Reduction is provided complexes, antibodies to the protein the region is the Republic of Tatarstan by two cell divisions after one round of the cohesin complex SMC3 were (RT) (Popov, 1960). We have per- of replication. In the prophase of the used. To visualize DSB, antibodies formed complex studies of orthopter- first division, the homologous chro- to γ-H2AX and Rad51 proteins were ans and rhopalocerans in last decades. mosomes are pairing, recombination used. A study of SMC3 distribution in The results of the studies allowed us occurs between non-sister chromatids. the meiotic prophase showed that in to compile the full lists of species These events connect the homologues N. cinerea, as in the Migratory locust, belonging to these insect groups and into bivalents and allow them to this protein was detected mainly in to obtain data on their spatial dis- divide in the first anaphase. The syn- the axial elements of chromosomes. tribution within the territory under apsis is accompanied by the synap- It was found that γ-H2A signals were consideration (Karmazina, Shulaev, tonemal complex formation. For the detected before the chromosome 2015; Petrov et al., 2017). To date, we recombination multiple double-strand synapsis and remained until the end of registered 72 orthopteran species from breaks (DSB) are required, which are the pachytene and later. At the stage 48 genera and 6 families and 161 Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 46 METALEPTEA butterfly species from 66 genera and 6 est-steppe Province (with the meadow can locust outbreak has occurred families. steppes and deciduous steppe-grass on the right bank of the Panj River Based on the data on the distribu- forests). Therefore, we have described (Hamadoni District). This outbreak tion of insects in the region and on the zoogeographical regionalization has been associated with plain habi- the analysis of faunistic similarities scheme of the territory based on the tats covered by dry vegetations. The between different physiographic prov- peculiarities of its insect fauna for the density has been between 2 and 15 inces of RT, the following nine zoo- first time. adults per square meter. Numerous geographical borders were identified: pairings have also been observed. The (1) Upper Volga border (low-efficien- Key words: Orthoptera, Rhopalocera, butter- similar situation has been revealed cy border, runs along the Volga River flies, regionalization, faunistic barrier, Volga, on the right bank of the Panj River, up to the mouth of the Kama River); Kama, Tatarstan but in the Qumsangir District on the (2) Vyatka border (medium-efficiency piedmont plain of Terekli-Tau. The border, runs along the Vyatka River Distribution and abundance of density has been between 5 and 47 and divides the Cis-Kama area into the Moroccan locust (Dociostau- adults per square meter. The small the western and eastern parts); (3) Up- rus maroccanus (Thunberg)) in outbreak with densities between 2 and per Volga–Kama border (low-efficien- South-West Tajikistan 25 adults per square meter has been cy border); (4) Vyatka–Kama border described in the Khuroson District. (medium-efficiency border, runs along H. S. KHAIROV Numerous adults of the Moroccan the Vyatka and Kama Rivers); (5) EN Pavlovsky Institute of Zoology and locust have been also observed in the Kama border (medium-efficiency bor- Parasitology, Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Jilikul District. The density has been der, runs along the Kama River from [email protected] about 1–5 per square meter. the borders of Tatarstan to the mouth of the Kama River); (6) Upper Kama Grasshoppers are one of the most Key words: Moroccan locust, Dociostaurus border (medium-efficiency border); abundant and important ecological maroccanus, South-West Tajikistan, outbreak (7) Lower Volga border (low-efficien- groups in natural and transformed cy border, runs along the Volga River ecosystems of Tajikistan. Their lo- The Italian locust — Calliptamus from the mouth of the Kama River cal fauna may be characterized as italicus (Linnaeus) (Orthoptera): up to the RT boundary); (8) Lower highly diverse. It includes at least A quarter of a century after Volga–Kama border (low-efficiency three locust species. Some acridids, border, runs along the Kama River especially locusts, may be important A. V. LATCHININSKY1,2* et M. G. SER- and the Volga River up to the mouth pests. However, only the Moroccan GEEV1,3,4** of the Kama River); (9) Bugulma–Be- locust was and is the very serious 1Association of Applied Acridology 2 lebey border (this medium-efficiency pest in the Republic. In spring and in International; University of Wyoming, 3 border coincides with the boundary of the beginning of summer this spe- Laramie, USA; Novosibirsk State University, Novosibisk, Russia; 4Institute the Bugulma–Belebey Upland). cies is commonly very abundant over of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, According to the above zoogeo- local dry grasslands. Its outbreaks are determined by habitat altitudes, Novosibirsk, Russia. graphic borders, we suggest a scheme *[email protected] other peculiarities of ecosystems, and of zoogeographical regionalization of **[email protected], [email protected] the studied territory, which includes weather conditions. In the South-West Tajikistan, hoppers usually hatch in the following five provinces: I. West- The Italian locust is a common and the end of March. Their develop- ern Cis-Kama forest Province (with the most important pest in the steppes ment continues until the end of April. the pine, pine-deciduous, deciduous, and semi-deserts of Eurasia, from Egg-pods are laid in relatively hard and mixed forests). II. Eastern Cis- the Ukraine to the southern part of soils covered by heterogenous grass Kama Province of forests and bogs West Siberia. Many of its outbreaks vegetation on grassland hills and (with the dark coniferous and nemoral were described from these areas and plains. In April of 2014 and 2015 forests). III. Cis-Volga Province of from the neighboring mountains, and several plots with high abundance forests and forest-steppes (with the also from the Mediterranean region. of the Moroccan locust have been deciduous and pine-deciduous forests The situation became especially revealed in the Vakhsh, Bokhtar and and the forest-steppe with the steppe serious in the end of the last century. Khuroson Districts. The egg-pods landscapes). IV. Trans-Kama Province For example, in 2000 more than have been laid in the typical soils. of forests and forest-steppes (with the 16,600,000 ha were infested and more Young hoppers’ abundance has varied deciduous and pine-deciduous forests than 10,000,000 ha were treated by between 30 and 432 per hour. In the and the forest-steppe with the steppe different insecticides (Latchininsky et beginning of June, 2015, the Moroc- landscapes). V. Bugulma-Belebey for- al. 2002). Waves of the Italian locust Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 47 METALEPTEA outbreaks have resulted in significant the most significant parts of the steppe changes in both, our knowledge of its and semi-desert ecosystems. Stebaev This is well known that parasite- ecology and approaches to its popula- (1968, 1972), Kambulin and Bugaev host interactions are influenced by tion management. The unprecedented (1980), Gandar (1982), Hewitt and abiotic and biotic environmental con- series of the Italian locust outbreaks Onsager (1982) showed the evident ditions. In this respect susceptibility in 1992–2002 was determined by role of grasshoppers in ecosystem to Beauveria bassiana was assayed both, climatic fluctuations and signifi- energy/matter fluxes. These insects in several insect species from the cant changes in political, economic consume significant part of aboveg- family Acrididae (both swarming and and social life in the former USSR. round vegetation, increase rates of non-swarming) remarkably different Numerous bands and swarms of the its transmission in food chains and in their ecological preferences and species were observed almost every change spatial characters of fluxes consequently habitats. summer, however, their spatial distri- in local ecosystems (Stebaev 1968, Fungal virulence was assayed using bution changed significantly. 1972). Belovsky (2000) also finds 11 acridid taxa: Locusta migratoria An analysis of published and un- that grasshoppers can enhance plant migratoria L. (natural populations published data on the Italian locust production over years. Some locusts from the Astrakhan and Alma-Ata population dynamics collected during during outbreaks can change energy regions), L. m. migratorioides Reiche last two decades shows the strategy and matter fluxes in ecosystems, e.g., et Fairmaire и Schistocerca gregaria and tactics to manage its populations by accelerating and escalating nutri- Forsk. (lab cultures from the Moscow should be changed considerably. ent turnover (Boshoff 1988). In the Zoo collection), Calliptamus italicus (1) Crucial habitats and periods that West Siberian forest-steppes, during L., Dociostaurus maroccanus Thunb., are important for the Italian locust outbreaks grasshoppers can consume Calliptamus barbarus Costa, Docio- population dynamics should be up to 90 % of grasses (Kurkin & Ste- staurini species complex, Oedaleus determined. The new strategy should baev 1959;Kurkin 1976) and in many decorus Germ., Chorthippus paral- be based on a set of diverse tactic ap- cases, they damage not only leaves lelus Zett. (natural populations from proaches associated with some pecu- but also growing points of grasses. Southern Kazakhstan), Mioscirtus liarities of specific territories, habitats, As a result, vegetation cover changes wagneri Ev. and Mecostethus para- time lapses, and economic situations. significantly because competition pleurus parapleurus Hagen. (Astra- (2) Agricultural practices per se have patterns change between plants. This khan region). to be changed significantly, e.g., in means we should preserve ecologi- As many as 2–6 strains of B. many regions, overgrazing should be cal and taxonomical diversities of bassiana s.l. per an insect species minimized. (3) Information tech- grasshoppers to save grasslands. It is were used. Conidial suspension (1 · nologies, especially associated with necessary to optimize relationships 107 conidia per ml) was used to treat remote sensing, GIS and big data stor- between these insects and humans on 3–4th instar nymphs by brief (5 sec) age and analysis, should become the the basis of peaceful coexistence. immersion. All fungal strains assayed main basis for monitoring and fore- showed high virulence to the locusts casting. (4) New solutions are also Key words: Italian locust, Calliptamus itali- and grasshoppers. After 13–15 days important for field assessments of the cus, steppe, semi-desert, population, dynam- post infection (d.p.i.) nearly all the Italian locust populations. Real time ics, outbreak treated locusts (with the only excep- observations by using UAV may be tion of control) perished from myco- very promising. (5) New types of acri- Susceptibility of locusts and sis. The mortality dynamics, however, dicides, both chemical and biological, grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Ac- significantly differed depending upon should be tested. These formulations rididae) to the fungus Beauveria a host species and its habitat. The should be both very effective and eco- bassiana s. l. as dependent upon highest death rate was characteristic logically acceptable(e.g., selective). host ecology of C. barbarus, Oe. decorus and M. (6) New approaches must be devel- wagneri (85–100 % mortality at 7 oped to manage locust populations G. R. LEDNEV1, M. B. LEVCHEN- d.p.i.; LT50 — 3.5–4.5 days). The on the landscape scale and to treat KO1, A. M. USPANOV2, O. H. YARO- same level of mortality was observed agricultural fields and rangelands. (7) SLAVTSEVA3, V. Yu. KRYUKOV3 et for three locust species (the Desert, 1 International bodies should be devel- Yu. S. TOKAREV Moroccan, and Italian locusts) at 9 1 oped to manage populations of grass- All-Russian Research Institute of Plants d.p.i. (LT50 — 4,8–5,6 days). The Protection, St.-Petersburg, Russia; hoppers as a whole and of the Italian best survival was demonstrated by the 2Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of locust in particular, especially in the Plants Protection and Quarantine, Almaty, Migratory locust and M. parapleurus trans-boundary areas of upsurges. Kazakhstan; 3Institute of Systematics and showing 55 to 90 % mortality by this In any case, the acridids are one of Ecology of Animals, Novosibirsk, Russia. time (LT50 — 6,8–7,5 days). Thus, Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 48 METALEPTEA the xerophilous species display higher shev, 1982; Latchininsky et al., 2002; were relatively low, while those in the susceptibility to mycosis as compared Gapparov, 2014). Between 2009 and natural reserves (1.2–2.9 per square to the hygrophilous ones. In our opin- 2012 we have published a series of meter) and in agricultural landscapes ion, the cause for this variation is the faunistic analyses of Orthoptera in (0.2–27 per square meter) were quite difference in ecological preferences the southern part of the Aral Sea area high. The orthopteran fauna of the of these species, as three of them, (Medetov, 2012; Nurjanov et al., arid zones of Uzbekistan consists of namely L. migratoria, Ch. parallelus 2012). We have also studies the fauna herpetobionts (4.2 %), facultative and M. parapleurus, prefer moist and ecology of Orthoptera in the arid chortobionts (19.01 %), psammobi- habitats (the reed beds at water bod- zones of Uzbekistan. Until now we onts (6.3 %), chortobionts (2.1 %), ies, moist meadows), while the others have found more than 124 orthop- tamnobionts (9.1 %), microtamno- inhabit arid landscapes (from the teran species in the arid zones. Thus, bionts (7.0 %), chortobionts associ- forest-steppes to the deserts). In moist according to the preliminary research, ated with grasses and sedges (2.8 biotopes, the condition are optimal for the total number of Orthoptera spe- %), specialized phytophiles (3.5 %), fungal development and the prob- cies in the arid zones is 142, which eremobionts (18.3 %), fissurobionts ability of contact between the parasite belong to 68 genera, 10 families and (10.1 %), geobionts (1.2 %), chorto- and the host is higher, which may 2 suborders. We found a grasshopper bionts associated with grasses (4.2 drive the insect to better adaptation species (Eremippus costatus Serg. %), flying migrants (1.2 %), geophiles to fungal infections. On the contrary, Tarbinsky) new for the Central Asian living under vegetation cover (2.8 under arid conditions insects meet fauna. The following Orthoptera spe- %), herbivorous chortobionts (2.1 %), fungal pathogens infrequently and do cies and subspecies were recorded in bothrobionts (0.7 %), petrobionts (4.2 not, therefore, develop mechanisms the arid zones of Uzbekistan for the %). for such adaptation. first time:Glyphonothus alactaga Miram, Phaneroptera falcatа (Poda), Key words: Orthoptera, Uzbekistan, arid Key words: locust, grasshopper, fungus, para- Ceraeocercus fuscipennis Uvarov, zone, biological diversity, abundance, life site, Beauveria bassiana, mortality, habitat Turanogryllus lateralis (Fieber), form Melanotmethis fuscipennis (Redten- On the fauna and ecology of bacher), Asiotmethis heptapotamicus Peculiarities of long-term popu- Orthoptera in the arid zones of (Zubovsky), Pezotmethis ferghanensis lation dynamics of grasshoppers Uzbekistan (Uvarov), Pezotmethis nigrescens (Acridoidea) and blister beetles (Pylnov), Tropidopola turanica (Meloidae) in the Kulunda M. Zh. MEDETOV1, A. A. NUR- iliensis Bey-Bienko, Conophyma Steppe (South Siberia) JANOV1*, F. A. GAPPAROV2 et N. A. semenovi semenovi Zubovsky, Cono- ABDALEZOV3 phyma sokolowi decorum Mistshenko, K. V. POPOVA1 et M. G. SERGEEV1,2* 1Institute of Gene Pool of Plants and Heteracris pterosticha (Fischer de 1Novosibirsk State University, Novosi- Animals, Academy of Sciences of the Re- Waldheim), Mecostethus parapleurus bisk, Russia; 2Institute of Systematics and public of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbeki- turanicus Serg. Tarbinsky, Oedaleus Ecology of Animals, Novosibirsk, Russia. stan; 2Uzbek Institute for Plant Protection, decorus (Germar), Pyrgodera armata *[email protected], [email protected] Tashkent, Uzbekistan; 3Tashkent State Fischer de Waldheim, Stenobothrus Agrarian University. Blister beetles and grasshoppers *[email protected] kirgizorum Ikonnikov and Chorthip- pus (Glyptobothrus) biguttulus bigut- are typical forms of the semi-arid landscape biota, damaging cultivated The insect fauna of Uzbekistan has tulus (Linnaeus). Species abundance and their eco- crops when appeared en masse. These not so far been studied properly. The insects’ lifecycles are intimately con- order Orthoptera is among the few logic grouping were characterized by the method developed by F. N. nected by the fact of the blister beetles taxa that have been investigated quite larvae penetrating and developing well. There are a lot of publications Pravdin (1978). The species with low abundance (1–3 per hour) comprised in the acridid egg-pods, consuming by numerous authors concerning the egg-mass and, thus, dramatically the fauna and ecology of Orthoptera 39.4 %, rarely occurring species (3–20 per hour) — 42.9 %, frequently reducing the host abundance. The (Uvarov, 1927; Bey-Bienko, Mistsh- objective of the present research is enko, 1951; Stolyarov, 1966; Bekuzin, occurring species (21–100 per hour) — 14.0 % and mass species forming to compare the long-term dynamics 1968; Alimjanov, Ergashev, 1972; of blister beetles and grasshoppers Davletshina et al., 1979; Pravdin, aggregations — 3.5 %. The densities of Orthoptera in Kyzylkum Desert populations and their relationships in 1978; Pravdin, Mistshenko, 1980; the central part of the Kulunda Steppe Shamuratov, Kopaneva, 1980; Erga- (0.04–0.1 per square meter) and Usty- urt Plateau (0.1–0.9 per square meter) located in the southeastern part of Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 49 METALEPTEA West Siberian Plain between the Ob density of the Italian locust was very removal of ungulates from the steppe and Irtysh Rivers. The territory of high. Glyptobothrus biguttulus and ecosystems results in their degrada- the study was chosen for the multiple Euchorthippus pulvinatus were main tion (Gribova et al., 1980). Besides damaging outbreaks of locusts and dominants in 2005–2007. The level that, the huge areas of the steppes grasshoppers. The long-term dynam- of the blister beetles’ abundance was have also been ploughed: in the west- ics of populations of both taxa was very low in 1979, 1992, and 2000 ern parts — several centuries ago, studied on two model plots: (1) near (after . They were almost absent in in the eastern ones — mainly in the the Ust-Volchiha Village (2000–2009 other years. This means some correla- 19–20th centuries. and 2015) and (2) near Bolshoe Yaro- tions between the long-term dynamics Grasshoppers and katydids are ex- voe Lake (1979, 1992, 2000–2008 of the meloid and acridid populations tremely significant groups in natural and 2015). may exist, but with some time-lag. and disturbed ecosystems of the Eur- There were four peaks of acridid These studies were financially asian steppes. These insects are abun- abundance in the dry steppes near supported by the Federal Program of dant and colonize almost all natural the Ust-Volchiha Village: in 2000, Scientific Studies (VI.51.1.7, 0311- and anthropogenic habitats (range- 2003, 2009, and 2015 (especially 2016-0007). lands, agricultural fields, lawns etc.). significant with general abundance In the steppes, grasshoppers are often more than 7000 specimens per hour Key words: Acrididae, Meloidae, grasshop- the primary aboveground herbivores, and average density about 20 per per, Italian locust, blister beetle, Kulunda consuming over 10 % of the avail- square meter). In 2000 Dociostaurus Steppe able forage each summer (Stebaev, brevicollis and Oedaleus decorus 1968). Among the local grasshopper were main dominants. The Italian Transformation of orthopteran there are many potential pests, e.g., locust (Calliptamus italicus) was also assemblages in the rangelands of the Italian locust (Calliptamus italicus common. In other cases, the group extra-tropical Eurasia (Linnaeus)) and the Siberian grass- of most abundant species includes hopper (Gomphocerus sibiricus (Lin- relatively small grasshoppers, namely M. G. SERGEEV naeus)). Therefore, we may classify Omocestus petraeus, Glyptobothrus Institute of Systematics and Ecology of many orthopteran insects as keystone biguttulus, G. mollis (in 2015 — also Animals, Novosibirsk, Russia; Novo- forms. However, this order includes sibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Dociostaurus brevicollis and Cal- many rare species too. As a rule, their Russia. liptamus italicus). The abundance of ranges are relatively small, and their [email protected], [email protected] the blister beetles (mainly Mylabris abundance may be low. Grazing may sibirica) was maximal in 2001 (306 affect both pests and rare forms. The steppes (including the so-called adults per hour) and relatively high The specific, near-polar steppes of forest-steppes and semi-deserts) are in 2000. Since the larvae of Mylabris North-Eastern Yakutia are mainly perfect for many ungulates, rodents sibirica predominantly develop in the inhabited by the widely distributed and grasshoppers. It was generally egg-pods of abundant Dociostaurus steppe grasshopper (Berman, Mord- supposed that these animals were brevicollis, the increased population kovich, 1979). The similar situation extremely abundant in the Eurasian of Mylabris sibirica in 2001 could be is in the dry parts of central Yakutia, steppes several millennia ago. The associated with the abundant coloni- in which Chorthippus albomargin- ungulates might (and may) consume zation of the egg-pods of the grass- atus (De Geer), s.l., Gomphocerus the most part of above ground bio- hopper the year earlier. The females sibiricus, Glyptobothrus maritimus mass and they can destroy plant litter of the common dominants in 2003, (Mistshenko), and Omocestus haem- and tussocks by their hooves. How- 2009, 2015 (Glyptobothrus biguttu- orrhoidalis (Charpentier) are the most ever, almost all area of the steppes has lus, G. mollis, Omocestus petraeus) common species over all meadow been settled by different ethnic groups produce the small egg-pods unsuitable and steppe-like habitats, including of nomads with their numerous herds for the development of the majority of the overgrazed ones. In the nemoral at least 2–3 millennia ago (Markov, blister beetles. regions, the level of orthopteran 1976). As a result, almost all wild un- There were three periods with abundance over local grazed habitats gulates (horses, aurochs, bison, saiga, high acridid abundances in the dry is relatively high. They are settled and some other antilopes) have been steppes near Bolshoe Yarovoe Lake: by widely distributed species and entirely or significantly eliminated in 1979, 2000–2001, and 2005–2007. forms mainly associated with local until the 19th century (Kirikov, 1983). In 1979 Myrmeleotettix pallidus, river valleys. In the forest-steppes These species have been substituted Glyptobothrus biguttulus, G. mollis of south Siberia, human activity by domestic animals, mainly sheep, and Euchorthippus pulvinatus were may be estimated as comparatively cattle, horses and camels. In any case, very abundant. In 2000 and 2001 the significant, but the level of grazing Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 50 METALEPTEA is low. Chorthippus fallax (Zub.), Orthopteroidea of Tuva: Diver- be revealed relative to global, regional Myrmeleotettix palpalis (Zubovsky), sity and general distribution and local changes. and Gomphocerus sibiricus usually patterns On the first stage of our project the prefer the local overgrazed plots. In list of all Tuvan Orthopteroidea has the steppes of Kazakhstan and West M. G. SERGEEV1,2*, S. Yu. STO- been composed for the first time. It Siberia, slightly grazing habitats are ROZHENKO3**, A. A. BENEDIK- includes the species known from the settled by abundant and diverse com- TOV4***, N. S. BATURINA1 et V. V. adjacent areas of South Siberia and munities, however, the structure of MOLODTSOV1 Mongolia too. There are the members assemblages does not change sig- 1Novosibirsk State University, Novosi- of several orders of the orthopteroid 2 nificantly. Rangelands with moderate birsk, Russia; Institute of Systematics insects: Dictyoptera (only cockroach- grazing are characterized by diverse and Ecology of Animals, Novosibirsk, es — 2 known synanthropes, 2 pos- Russia; 3FSC of the East Asia Terrestrial and abundant assemblages of Or- Biodiversity, Vladivostok, Russia; 4Mos- sible species); Plecoptera, or stone- thoptera. In the natural and disturbed cow State University, Moscow, Russia. flies (73 species — 59 known taxa, 11 ecosystems of the semi-deserts of *[email protected], [email protected] possible forms, 3 species should be Kazakhstan, we have observed the or- **[email protected] checked); Notoptera (Grylloblattella thopteran assemblages with high level ***[email protected] sayanensis Storozhenko); Dermap- of diversity and abundance. Almost tera, or earwigs (Anechura bipunctata all local species are widely distributed Tuva is the mountain region in (Fabricius) — known and Labidura through all grasslands, including over- the central part of Asia, politically it riparia (Pallas) — possible); Or- grazed. Such species spread through corresponds the Tyva Republic of the thoptera (119 species, including 90 pastures without problems, and their Russian Federation. There is a highly known species, 26 possible forms, abundance may be very high. In the diverse set of ecosystems. There are 4 species should be checked). There semi-deserts of South Siberia and many plant and animal species of are no endemic of Tuva per se. The Mongolia, the dominance of the local different geographic, ecological and group of the endemics of the Altay- endemics, especially from the tribe phylogenetic relations, e.g., associated Sayn Mts. includes Grylloblattella Bryodemini, is the characteristic of with the Boreal, Gobian, Turanian and sayanensis (Notoptera), Zubovskya assemblage composition. This situa- Manchurian parts of the Palaeractic. mongolica Storozhenko, Podismop- tion may be observed in both, natural Its fauna also includes several endem- sis altaica Zubovsky, Stenobothrus and disturbed ecosystems, includ- ic or subendemic taxa. The terrestrial newskii Zubovsky (Orthoptera). The ing overgrazed. In the temperate and and amphibiotic orthopteroid insects species mainly associated with the subtropical deserts, grazing usually are very abundant and diverse in this boreal and subboreal parts of the results in increasing abundance and region. Consequently Orthopteroidea Palaearctic populate the northern part decreasing diversity. Thus, peculiari- is the almost ideal model group to of Tuva. Its arid territories are usually ties of orthopteran assemblages and reveal general patterns of biologi- settled by the insects associated with their transformations in the range- cal diversity transformations in the the desert and semi-desert faunas of lands of extra-tropical Eurasia are region. Some studies of Orthopteroi- Mongolia and China. Several Tura- determined by both, the regional dea in Tuva started in the beginning nian forms (e.g., Eremippus simplex geographic and ecological conditions of the 20th century and have been (Eversmann)) penetrate into the arid and grazing specificity. continued until now. However, the intermountain basins of the region. These studies were financially sup- main part of the original data has not Besides, the local fauna includes ported by the Federal Program of Sci- been analyzed before now and some some species mainly associated with entific Studies (VI.51.1.7, 0311-2016- taxa should be revised. Besides that, the Far East (Prumna primnoa Fischer 0007) and the Russian Foundation for more or less relatively comprehensive de Waldheim, Ognevia longipennis Basic Researches (16-04-00706). publications concerning the main (Shiraki), Schmidtiacris schmidti groups of Tuvan Orthopteroidea are (Ikonnikov) etc.) Key words: Orthoptera, rangeland, grassland, absent. Therefore, published and ap- These studies were financially sup- grazing, biodiversity, abundance, assemblage plicable unpublished data concerning ported by the Russian Foundation diversity, geographic and ecological for Basic Researches (16-04-00706) distribution of these insects, and their and the Federal Program of Scientific roles in the local natural and disturbed Studies (VI.51.1.7, 0311-2016-0007). ecosystems should be analyzed. The general patterns of orthopteroid as- Key words: Orthopteroidea, Tuva, Altay-Sayn semblage structures and transforma- Mts., biodiversity, endemic tions and possible range shifts should Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 51 METALEPTEA Mating strategies in acoustically moved to duration of observation [email protected] communicating grasshopper (relative distance), and the number species (Orthoptera, Acrididae, of the movements (jump or walk) Nowadays the fauna of Orthoptera Gomphocerinae) per unit time (relative locomotion of the Russian Far East, North-East activity). Comparison of the relative China, Korea and Japan is sufficiently N. S. SEVASTYANOV* et V. Yu. VE- calling duration showed significant investigated. Totally 451 species (or DENINA differences between the species. The 483 nominal taxa of species and sub- Kharkevich Institute for Information relative calling duration was the high- species rank) in 152 genera, 33 sub- Transmission Problems, Moscow, Russia. est in Ch. apricarius (on average 21.9 families and 16 families of this order *[email protected] %) and the lowest — in Ch. loratus are known from the region. Present and Ch. albomarginatus (2 % and communication aims to clarify the Acoustic communication plays an 1.6% respectively). The comparison general trends of Orthoptera biodiver- important role in reproductive isola- of the rate of the calling signaling sity in the island and continental sec- tion in grasshoppers of the subfam- showed some non-significant dif- tors of the northern part of East Asia. ily Gomphocerinae. A solitary male ference between the species. It was The Orthoptera of the Pacific part of produces calling song to search and the largest in Ch. parallelus and Ch. North Asia are generally character- attract a female at distance. The biguttulus (on average 6.7 and 2.8 ized by dominance of Archipalaearc- receptive female responds to the male, calling songs per minute respec- tic (Manchurian–Japanese) species, either by an acoustic response or by a tively), whereas in other species this representing 65 % of whole fauna; the phonotaxis. At the same time males of parameter varied from 0.5 to 1.9. The East-Palaearctic, Oriental-Palaearctic different species use different strate- analysis of the relative locomotion and Transpalaearctic are less numer- gies to search mates. We hypothesized activity showed significant differences ous (17, 10 and 6 % respectively). that the species producing short call- between the species. The highest The sum of the Holarctic and widely ing songs demonstrate a higher degree values of this parameter were found in distributed in the tropics and subtrop- of locomotion and lower acoustic Ch. parallelus and Ch. apricarius (on ics species is less than 2 %. The trend activity than the species with long average 0.9 and 0.7 locomotion acts of increasing of the species diversity calling signals. Mating strategies have per minute respectively). The rela- of Orthoptera from north to south is been studied in two areas: Moscow tive distance showed non-significant obvious in the continental sector of (Bitsevsky Park) and the Volgograd differences between the species. The the northern part of East Asia. The Region (Volga–Akhtuba floodplain, highest distance was revealed for Ch. fauna of Chukchi Peninsula con- surroundings of Volzhsky). We used maritimus (16 m on average), the low- sists of 5 species, Kamchatka — 10, a method of individual observations. est — for Ch. loratus (1.5 m). Signifi- Magadan region — 16, and Lower Before the beginning of each observa- cant positive correlations were found Amur region — 54 species. Totally 81 tion, the male was marked by color between the relative duration and the species are known from the Middle paints on its pronotum. We document- rate of the calling signaling, between Amur region, and 111 species re- ed duration and frequency of singing, the relative locomotion activity and corded from Primorye in Russia. The contacts with other individuals, and the relative distance of locomotion, sum of species in North-East China locomotion activity for 20–80 min. and, surprisingly, between the relative (provinces Heilongjiang and Jilin) is Observations were made in sunny duration of calling signaling and the 187. The fauna of Korean Peninsula weather (Т ≈ 35 oС) from 12:00 to relative locomotion activity. We have consists of 164 species, of which 118 16:00 on average. Six species of the not found any significant correlations species are known northwards and genus Chorthippus were investigated. between the relative calling duration 136 species are recorded southwards In the Bitsevsky Park, we studied Ch. and the relative distance. 37o N. Comparing with the Lower apricarius (N = 6), Ch. biguttulus Amur region the number of species (N = 3), Ch. albomarginatus (N = 7) Key words: grasshopper, mating activity, increased in the Middle Amur region and Ch. paralellus (N = 4). In the city acoustic communication, locomotion in 1.5 times, in Primorye — in 1.9 of Volzhsky, we studied Ch. mariti- times, in Korean Peninsula — in 2.9 mus (N = 5) and Ch. loratus (N = 7). Orthoptera of the Pacific regions times, and in North-East China — in During an analysis of the results, the of Russia and adjacent countries 3.3 times. Orthoptera are absent in the following parameters were measured: north part of Kuril Archipelago, while a ratio of calling signaling duration to S. Yu. STOROZHENKO 28 species are recorded from Southern duration of observation (relative call- Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Kuril (Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan). ing duration), a rate of calling signal- Terrestrial Biodiversity, Vladivostok, The fauna of Sakhalin Island consists ing, a ratio of total distance a male Russia. of 36 species, Hokkaido Island — 89, Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 52 METALEPTEA Shikoku Island — 169, Kyushu Island vosibirsk, Russia; 2Institute of Systemat- groups are monophyletic and consist — 134 species. The largest Japanese ics and Ecology of Animals, Novosibirsk, of one subfamily each: Melanopli- island Kyushu is characterized by Russia; 3Novosibirsk State University, nae and Oxyinae, respectively. The most diverse fauna (218 species). The Novosibirsk, Russia. phylogenetic tree constructed on these fauna of small island located between *[email protected] sequences served as the basis for the **[email protected], bugrov@fen. Korea and Japan is less diverse (Jeju further analysis. The phylogenetic nsu.ru — 89 species, Tsushima — 51 spe- trees based on COI, COII, CytB and cies). Comparing with Sakhalin the ITS2 sequences confirm and comple- For a long time, taxonomy, phylo- number of species increased in large ment the results obtained from the genetic relationships and understand- Japanese islands as follow: Hokkaido analysis of the complete mitochondri- ing of the evolution of the family — in 2.5 times, Kyushu — in 3.7, al sequences. As the result of the work Acrididae were based mainly on the Shikoku — in 4.7, and Kyushu — in done, we revealed all studied spe- comparative analysis of key morpho- 6 times. Thus, the trend of increasing cies could be divided into two main logical structures of recent and fossil of species diversity of Orthoptera in phylogenetic groups: (1) Gompho- species. However, on the subfamily the island sector of the Pacific part of cerinae, Oedipodinae, and Acridinae, level and lower, problems of con- North Asia is more obvious than in and (2) Calliptaminae, Catantopinae, vergence and parallelism become the continental one. Cyrthacantacridinae, Conophyminae, significant for these insects, making it The matrix of species distribution Eyprepocnemidinae, Melanoplinae, challenging to establish phylogenetic in the different continental regions Pezotettiginae and Hemiacridinae. relationships between subfamilies, and large islands was analyzed using Subfamily Oxyinae formed a separate tribes and genera. One of the most the program PAST (version 1.57). branch from both groups, as well as effective methods to estimate phylo- Four types of fauna in the Pacific the subfamilies Proctolabinae, Spa- genetic relationships is the analysis part of North Asia are discriminated, thosterninae and Coptacrinae (pre- of various DNA markers. In present namely (1) the Okhotsk fauna of sented by only one species each). Five work, we conducted the molecular the forest-tundra and boreal conif- subfamilies (Acridinae, Oedipodinae, phylogenetic analysis of the complete erous forests (Chukchi Peninsula, Gomphocerinae, Oxyinae and Cat- mitochondrial sequences, concatenat- Kamchatka, Magadan and Lower antopinae) were found to be poly- ed sequences of three mitochondrial Amur regions, North Sakhalin, i.e. phyletic in the present study. We also genes (COI, COII, CytB) and nuclear regions around Okhotsk Sea); (2) the revealed that the positions of branches sequences (ITS2) of more than 220 Manchurian fauna of the continental containing species from the polyphy- species of the acridid grasshoppers coniferous and broad-leaved forests letic subfamilies are interrelated with from 15 subfamilies. The data on (Middle Amur region and Primorye their geographical distribution, show- nucleotide sequences for these insects in Russia, North-East China, and the ing that morphological differences are were obtained experimentally and northern part of Korean Peninsula); most likely to be the result of conver- from NCBI database. The sequences (3) the Sakhalin–Hokkaido fauna of gence and parallelism. obtained experimentally were sub- the coniferous and deciduous forests The study was funded by the RFBR mitted to the NCBI database and are (South Sakhalin, Hokkaido, and South (17-04-01615). freely accessible. Some phylogenetic Kuril); (4) the Korean–Japanese fauna trees for different combinations of of the broad-leaved and evergreen Key words: Acrididae, taxonomy, phylogeny, these markers were obtained using the coniferous forests (the central and subfamily, nucleotide sequence maximize likelihood and Bayesian southern parts of Korean Peninsula, methods. The complete sequences of Jeju, Tsushima, Honshu, Shikoku, The diversity and some ecologi- the mitochondrial genomes currently Kyushu islands). cal aspects of the orthopteran set for 59 species belonging to 11 fauna in Pakistan Key words: Orthoptera, East Asia, Far East, subfamilies. The phylogenetic tree constructed biodiversity, distribution, regionalization, Riffat SULTANA based on these sequences consist of island Department of Zoology, University of four major groups. First group includ- Sindh, Pakistan. Molecular phylogeny of the Acri- ed three subfamilies: Gomphocerinae, [email protected], riffatu- didae grasshoppers Oedipodinae, and Acridinae. Second [email protected] group included representatives of four I. S. SUKHIKH1*, A. G. BLINOV1,2 et subfamilies: Calliptaminae, Catan- Pakistan is an agricultural country. A. G. BUGROV2,3** topinae, Cyrthacantacridinae and A variety of crops is cultivated. The 1Institute of Cytology and Genetics, No- Eyprepocnemidinae. Third and fourth majority of people are living in the
Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 53 METALEPTEA villages and the main source of their The species of the genus Aspergil- Notes on the fauna of grasshop- living is agriculture. About 70 % of lus are registered world-wide for pers (Orthoptera, Acrididae) of the population is engaged in agri- the grasshoppers and locusts con- Taman Peninsula culture both directly and indirectly. trol. This practice is currently under Agriculture is a source of revenues consideration as potential alternative E. N. TERSKOV for the federal and provincial govern- to chemical insecticides for the pest Institute of Arid Zones of Southern ments. Local bodies also get revenue control in Pakistan. Grasshoppers and Scientific Centre of Russian Academy from the agriculture sector. The pres- locusts are major agricultural pests Sciences, Rostov-on-Don, Russia. ent report deals with the major and damaging varieties of crops (e.g., rice, [email protected] minor pests from the order Orthop- sugarcane, wheat, maize, and fodder tera. Some representatives of three crops). Several chemical insecticides The unique nature of Taman Pen- superfamilies of Ensifera, namely are commonly used to control acridid insula has been attracted biologists Schizodactyloidea , Tettigonioidea populations, but these chemical com- for decades. Its geographical position and Grylloidea, and 5 superfamilies of pounds are often strongly associated and hilly relief with numerous ra- Caelifera, namely Acridoidea, Pyrgo- with environmental and health issues. vines contributed to the formation of morphoidea, Tetrigoidea, Eumastacoi- In order to reduce these problems, a specific fauna of insects in general, dea and Tridactyloidea, were found. an attempt was made to introduce a and grasshoppers in particular. The The fauna includes about 157 species pathogenic fungi to control acridid purpose of this study is to refine the from 21 subfamilies of Caelifera and populations. About 2,000 specimens taxonomic structure and morpho-eco- 63 species of Ensifera belonging to from six subfamilies of Acrididae logical analysis of the grasshoppers 11 subfamilies. Specimens collected were collected from different ecologi- (Acrididae) of Taman Peninsula. The from the different ecological zones cal zones of Sindh and were treated major data were collected in 2015- of Pakistan for the last forty years with three species of the genus Asper- 2017 by generally accepted methods. are at Sind Entomological Museum gillus, namely A. flavus, A. fumigatus Twenty seven species of grasshop- (SEM), University of Sindh, Pakistan. and A. niger. The isolation percentage pers are known for the territory of the The taxonomic keys for various taxa of entomopathogenic fungi and their Peninsula, from which 2 species are were also constructed for their future association with acridid pest species known from the published sources. identification. Some brief descrip- was also noticed. Food consumption Ramburiella turcomana (Fischer von tions of each suprageneric category of and faecal production by the insects Waldheim, 1846) and Stenobothrus Orthoptera were prepared. Distribu- treated with different formulation of miramae Dirsh, 1931 are recorded tion patterns with ecological notes the Aspergillus species were analyzed from Taman Peninsula for the first were also documented. Furthermore, under laboratory conditions. It was time and Acrotylus longipes (Char- the detailed list of host plants from noted that the cumulative percent pentier, 1845) is new for the fauna Pakistan was also composed for the of faecal material from the insects of the Caucasus. In Taman the last first time. These findings supplied treated by various pathogenic fungi species is found on sandy parts of the some important basis and data for differed significantly from the con- coast of Kerch Strait and Black Sea. Integrated Pest Management (IPM), trol. Other three treatments resulted Its global range includes the south- orthopteran biodiversity conservation in some significant impact on food western Ukraine (from Odessa to the and grassland restoration in Pakistan. consumption and feeding behavior. Danube River), Asia Minor, South After two days insects gradually Iran, Pakistan, South Europe, and Key words: Orthoptera, Pakistan, agriculture, reduced its feeding activity, because North Africa. A. longipes was previ- pest species, fauna, biodiversity fungi development stopped its usual ously known from South Crimea. This activities. This means that explora- grasshopper feeds on monocotyle- Evaluation activity of pathogenic tion and screening must be conducted dons, mainly on various Cyperaceae Aspergillus against the acridid to provide additional pathogens for and Poaceae. In each local popula- grasshoppers in Pakistan evaluation as potential biological tion, the individuals with the yellow control agents against grasshoppers and orange hind wings are found in Riffat SULTANA* et Santosh KU- and locusts. equal proportions. Egg laying and the MAR** egg-pods of A. longipes are described. Department of Zoology, University of Key words: fungus, locust, grasshopper, pop- The egg laying includes stages when Sindh, Pakistan. ulation management, pest species, insecticide the female immerses the posterior half *[email protected] of the body up to the thorax (includ- **[email protected] ing tegmina) in sand. The female rakes the sand with its hind legs to the
Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 54 METALEPTEA abdomen, and then clenches them and Acoustic signals and morphology of by legs alternated with a loud sound rakes the sand with long middle legs. the two subspecies of Stenobothrus generated by wing beats (element III). The analysis of the life forms of eurasius Zubovsky (Orthoptera, The specimens from the Ukraine and the grasshoppers of Taman Penin- Acrididae, Gomphocerinae): another locality of Saratov generated sula showed that the grass-feeding Evidence of belonging to different sound by only hind-leg stridulation. chortobionts (40 %) and facultative species During calling, the males produced a chortobionts (26 %) are commmon. single phrase consisting of complex There are a few open geophiles (4 V. Yu. VEDENINA syllables. The first half of each syl- species, 15 %), microtamnonobionts Kharkevich Institute for Information lable was produced by faster vibra- (7 %), herbivorous chortobionts (4 Transmission Problems, Moscow, Russia tions during the leg up-stroke, where- %), sedge-grass chortobionts (4 %), as the second half of each syllable and geophiles living under vegetation On the territory of the Ukraine, – by slower vibrations during the leg cover (4 %). There are no endemic Russia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyz- down-stroke. As a result, each syllable grasshoppers since geologically stan, two subspecies of Stenobothrus included pulses of different rate and this peninsula is a relatively young. eurasius are recognized: eurasius duration. The courtship song started In the beginning of the Neogene it eurasius (Zubovsky, 1898) and eur- with groups of 3–5 soft pulses, which underwent a long continental stage, asius hyalosuperficies (Vorontsovskii, were gradually transformed into a then was partially flooded with only 1928). S. eurasius eurasius Zub. is sound, resembled the calling song syl- separate islands of Paleogenic ori- suggested to inhabit the southern re- lables. In the developed courtship, the gin towering over [Novosad, 1992]. gions of Siberia reaching Transbaikal vibrating up-stroke of a syllable was Ramburiella turcomana, Stenobothrus (Dauria) to the east, Kazakhstan and replaced by an abrupt, high-amplitude miramae and Acrotylus longipesa the mountains of Kyrgyzstan; S. eur- up-movement of the hind legs. We are distributed insularly. Their lo- asius hyalosuperficies Vor. is suggest- suggested a difference in morphology cal populations are in Crimea, from ed to occur in the southern regions of of the hind wings between subspecies where they could migrate to Taman. the Ukraine and European Russia. We to be a main morphological character, Chorthippus loratus and Chorthip- have recorded and analyzed calling which allows us to distinguish the pus biguttulus are the most abundant and courtship songs of the speci- subspecies. Medial field of the hind species. They are found everywhere mens from the Ukraine, Russia and wing is broader in specimens singing over the Peninsula. Some peculiari- Kazakhstan. Not only the sound but by wing beats than in specimens sing- ties of species distribution over local also the movements of the hind legs ing only by stridulation. Also, fore habitats were also revealed. 13 spe- during stridulation were recorded with margins and costal field of the hind cies (48 % of the total number) were a unique opto-electronic device. The wings are more sclerotized and cubi- found in the sandy habitats of the sea specimens from one locality of Sara- tal veins are more fused in specimens coasts and braids. The saline mead- tov, from the Orenburg Region (the that produced wing clapping than in ows along the edges of estuaries and type locality of S. eurasius hyalosu- specimens singing only by stridula- seashores were inhabited by 5 species perficies) and Kazakhstan (some type tion. Presumably, a degree of sclero- (18.5 %). Platypygius crassus oc- localities of S. e. eurasius) generated tization of the hind wing depends on cured only in the halophytic habitats. sound by two different mechanisms: the mechanism of sound production In the areas with the psammophytic hind-leg striduation, which is typical (Elsner, Wasser, 1995). On the basis steppe, we found 9 species (33.3 %). for gomphocerines, and wing clap- of the strong differences in songs and In the preserved steppe areas of the ping, which was previously described some differences in morphology, we forb-grass vegetation on the hills and only for the S. rubicundulus-group propose to classify the two subspe- slopes of the ravines, 13 species (48 (Elsner, Wasser, 1995). The calling cies, eurasius eurasius and eurasius %) occured, most of them were also song was only produced by wing hyalosuperficies, as different species. found in other habitats. In agricultural clapping, which was performed on the However, it is still unclear how to landscapes, we observed 9 widely ground. The courtship song started name these two species. First, the type distributed species (33.3 %). with the low-amplitude leg move- specimens of Vorontsovskii were lost, ments, which generated single or and second, it is likely that there are Key words: Acrididae, grasshopper, North double soft pulses (element I). An both species among the type speci- Caucasus, biological diversity, life form, element II was produced by the high- mens of Zubovsky. distribution, egg-pod amplitude leg strokes, which accom- panied by conspicuous movements of Key words: grasshopper, acoustic, sound antennae. In a developed courtship, production, courtship, taxonomy groups of 4–7 soft pulses generated
Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 55 METALEPTEA Stoneflies (Plecoptera) of the Us 1912, Alloperla deminuta Zapekina- jensis occurs in the second decade of River Basin in the West Sayan Dulkeit, 1970, A. rostellata (Klapálek, August. We also compared the species Mts. 1923), Amphinemura borealis (Mor- diversity of the Us River Basin with ton, 1894), Capnia ahngeri Kopo- other regions of the Altay-Sayan V. V. ZAIKA nen, 1949, C. pygmaea (Zetterstedt, Mts. The level of the Sørensen–Cze- Tuvinian Institute for Exploration of 1840)?, Diura nanseni (Kempny, kanowski similarity index was almost Natural Resources, Kyzyl, Russia. 1900), Isoperla asiatica Raušer, 1968, equal for all pairs: with Mountain [email protected] I. altaica Šámal, 1939, I. eximia Altay — 0.56, with North Altay — Zapekina-Dulkeit, 1975, I. lunigera 0.58, with the Upper Yenisei — 0.59. Stoneflies are one of the least (Klapálek, 1923), Megarcys ochracea This means that the stonefly fauna of studied groups of amphibiotic insects. (Klapálek, 1912), Nemoura arctica the Us River Basing is more or less Almost all species of these insects Esben-Petersen, 1910, N. nigroden- typical for the mountain system. are rheophilic. Their highest spe- tata Zhiltzova, 1980?, Paraleuctra cies diversity is in mountain rivers zapekinae Zhiltzova, 1974, Pictetiella Key words: stonefly, Plecoptera, West often being difficult to access. This asiatica Zwick et Levanidova, 1971, Sayan, mountain stream, biological diver- is why local faunas and assemblages Stavsolus manchuricus Teslenko, sity, rhithral of stoneflies are not known for many 1999, Skwala compacta (McLachlan, mountain river basins. There are only 1872), Suwallia teleckojensis (Šámal, three sources of data about plecop- 1939), Taenionema japonicum (Oka- teran diversity and distribution in the moto, 1922). The stoneflyMegarcys mountain streams of the Altai–Sayan ochracea (one of the largest species of Mts. [Koveshnikov, 2009; Zaika; the Perlodidae family) and Suwallia 2012; Baturina, 2015]. However, the teleckojensis (Chloroperlidae) were streams of the southern macroslope the most widespread. Reproduction of the West Sayan Mts. have not been of the first species occurs from the studied yet. The southern macroslope last decade of June until the second of these mountains, facing the Tuvan decade of July. The young larvae may Intremountain Basin, is characterized be found in the first decade of July. by the phenomenon of reverse anticy- Reproduction of Suwallia telecko- clones. This results in the relatively arid and continental climate with the annual precipitation around 400 mm, long and cold winters. Besides, weathers are usually determined by the Asian anticyclone. The Us River is one of the major rivers of this ter- ritory. It is the right tributary of the Yenisei River. The Us River begins in the West Sayan Mts. and flows south- westward across the Us Depression. It breaks in April or the beginning of May and freezes in November. We studied diversity and ecology of stoneflies in the middle part of the Us River and in its tributary, namely the Buyba River. Both streams are in the typical rhithral zone. 23 spe- cies of stoneflies have been found in 2013–2016: Alascaperla longidentata (Raušer, 1968), Arcynopteryx dichroa (McLachlan, 1872), A. amurensis Italian locust (Calliptamus italicus (Linnaeus)), female, in the north steppe of West Siberia Zhiltzova et Levanidova, 1978 (this (Photo credit: M. G. Sergeev) species was previously know from the Far East), A. polaris Klapálek, Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 56 METALEPTEA Treasurer’s Report By PAMELA MIHM Treasurer [email protected] he Statement of Assets as of December 31, 2017 and the 2017 Summary of Cash Receipts and Expendi- tures are shown below. The Orthoptera Species File continues to be the largest cash activity. This is funded by an allocation of endowment income from the University of Illinois. The second largest use of cash was publishing the Journal of Orthoptera Research (JOR). During 2017, the Society contracted with Pensoft, an industry leader in open access publishing, to achieve better visibility and a more attractive format for TT the JOR. This requires more funds for JOR. The Society supported two new projects in 2017—Orthoptera Symposium grants and AAIS meeting support. The financial position of the Society has been greatly enhanced by the generous bequest from Dr. Theodore Cohn and from generous contributions over the years from other members. If you have any questions, please contact me at [email protected]. Orthopterists’ Society Orthopterists’ Society Statement of Cash Receipts and Expenditures Statement of Assets (1/1/17 through 12/31/17) (As of December 31, 2017)
Cash Receipts Cash Dues $3,855.00 Paypal cash balance $166.67 Publications 3,320.00 Midland States Bank 10,064.42 Page charges 573.00 $10,231.09 Community Foundation endowment 11,572.27 Royalty and revenue sharing 17,437.95 Investments at market value Book reimbursements 474.74 Vanguard: Donations 110.00 Grants (Note 1) $423,792.64 Transfer cash from Vanguard & Wells Fargo 20,700.00 Operating (Note 2) 809,145.84 Proceeds from sale of investments 27,794.00 1,232,938.48 Contribution for OSF-David Eades 5,000.00 Wells Fargo: University of Illinois allocation 135,000.00 AAAI (Note 3) 13,016.79 Total Cash Receipts $225,836.96 Endowment (Note 4) 30,113.39 Operating (Note 2) 251,795.68 Cash Expenditures Grants (Note 1) 78,458.57 Publisher JOR $11,355.68 373,384.43 JOR assistance 21,000.00 Total assets $1,616,554.00 Research grants (Ted Cohn) 16,095.00 Executive director remuneration 1,500.00 Ed. Metaleptea remuneration 1,500.00 Note 1: This fund is restricted and can only be used Webmaster remuneration 300.00 for research grants. JOR editor remuneration 3,000.00 Note 2: This fund is nonrestricted. Maintenance of Orthoptera Species File 80,000.00 Note 3: This fund can only be used for the Uvarov Grants-Orthoptera Species File 53,267.99 Award made at each int’l meeting. Professional fees 6,450.00 Note 4: The income in this account is available for (income tax preparation and audit) Society expenses; can extract capital but must have Accounting reimbursement 12,000.00 a plan for repaying it within 3 years. AAIS meeting support 1,000.00 Publication of “Orthopterans of Oaxaca” 5,000.00 Orthoptera Symposium grant 2,000.00 Young Professional Award 2,500.00 Storage unit rent 910.00 Other 2,137.33 Total Cash Expenditures $220,016.00
Excess of Cash Receipts over Cash Expenditures $(5,820.96) Beginning Cash Balance 4,410.13 Ending Cash Balance $10,231.09
Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 57 METALEPTEA Despite the trend that I see in my I would like to thank all those who Editorial own program, I am relieved to read all have contributed to this issue as well By HOJUN SONG the reports and the meeting abstracts as our Associate Editor, Derek A. Editor, Metaleptea written by our younger members Woller, for his continued assistance in [email protected] (most of whom I have not yet had a the editorial process. Please congratu- nother great year has chance to meet). This means that there late him on successfully defending his started! Judging from are young orthopterists who are being dissertation and graduating in Decem- the activities reported trained right now somewhere in the ber of 2017! from the Ted Cohn world. As long as this is true, the fu- To publish in Metaleptea, please grantees and the OSF ture of orthopteran taxonomy remains send your contribution to hsong@ AA grant awardees, our promising. tamu.edu with a subject line starting society has many young members This issue is a particularly massive with [Metaleptea]. As for the format, paving the way for a bright future. one because of two meeting abstracts. a MS Word document is preferred and Every fall, I get many emails from I am continually excited to learn images should be in JPEG or TIFF prospective students asking to join my about all of the fantastic research be- format with a resolution of at least lab. Often, I have to turn them down ing done on Orthoptera. Remember 144 DPI. The next issue of Metalep- because I do not have funds to support that Metaleptea completely relies on tea will be published in May of 2018, them, but now I am at the point where the member contributions, so please so please send me content promptly. I do need to recruit more students send me your stories to share with I look forward to hearing from you to push my research programs for- other members. soon! ward. An interesting trend that I have observed over the years is that most Officers of the Orthopterists’ Society prospective students who are inter- ested in orthopteran taxonomy happen President: Alexandre Latchininsky, Department of Ecosystem Science to be international students. While I and Management, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA. would love to have more international [email protected] students in my lab, it is becoming President-Elect: David Hunter, Locust and Grasshopper Control, financially more difficult to support 125 William Webb Drive, McKellar ACT 2617 Australia. them without a major research grant. [email protected] Of the domestic students who have Executive Director: David Hunter, Locust and Grasshopper Control, contacted me, I have not yet found 125 William Webb Drive, McKellar ACT 2617 Australia. anyone who’s a die-hard orthopterist. [email protected] Often, these students have interests Treasurer: Pamm Mihm, 2417 Fields South Drive, Champaign, IL 61822 in beetles or some other insects and USA. [email protected]. are willing to switch to Orthoptera, Managing Editor, JOR: Corinna S. Bazelet, Department of Conservation but not originally interested in grass- Ecology & Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, South hoppers or katydids. Sometimes this Africa. [email protected] switch is successful, and sometimes it Editorial Assistant, JOR: Nancy Morris, Department of Biology, University is not. Is this a real trend or something of Toronto at Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada. that I am imagining based on my lim- [email protected] ited interaction with the new genera- Manager, Orthopterists’ Society Website: Derek A. Woller, USDA: tion of potential students? APHIS, PPQ, CPHST-Phoenix Lab, AZ, USA. I don’t have a good answer for this [email protected] question yet. I have a sense that it Associate Manager, OS Website: David C.F. Rentz, 19 Butler Dr., Kuranda, might have to do with the fact that Queensland, Australia. [email protected] there are not many orthopterists in the Editor, Metaleptea: Hojun Song, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M U.S. training students who want to University, College Station, TX, USA. [email protected] pursue higher degrees. It might also Associate Editor, Metaleptea: Derek A. Woller, USDA: APHIS, PPQ, be that many international students CPHST-Phoenix Lab, AZ, USA. [email protected] are more in touch with nature because Officer, Orthoptera Species File: María Marta Cigliano, División they are curious about the insects Entomología, Museo de La Plata, Universidad Nacional de la Plata, they see, but they don’t have access La Plata, Argentina. [email protected] to taxonomic experts who can train Manager, The Ted Cohn Research Fund: Michel Lecoq, CIRAD, France. them. [email protected] Volume 38 (1) / January 2018 58