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International Journal of Latest Research in Science and Technology ISSN (Online):2278-5299 Volume 2,Issue 3 :Page No.10-12 , May - June 2013 https://www.mnkpublication.com/journal/ijlrst/index.php

BIODIVERSITY OF GRASSHOPPERS IN AZAD NAGAR, WALGAON ROAD, AMRAVATI

Khalid Anwar Department of Zoology, Vidya Bharati Mahavidyalaya, Amravati.

Abstract - This study reveals that in the morphological identification of Grasshoppers, keys like strong hind legs for jumping, coloration for defensive function from predators as well as to attract the females when mating is required, size, shape plays an very important role. They belong to the order which means "straight wings", Grasshoppers can be divided into three categories: those with colorful wings, with a slanted head and with a spur or peg between the first pair of legs. There are the key identified varieties of grasshoppers from selected are (Azad colony, Walgaon road, Amravati).

Keywords - Biodiversity, Orthoptera

INTRODUCTION

Grasshoppers are that found very commonly and food. In most crickets and katydids, the female mounts the ’ therefore, grasshopper s habitat can be varied, ranging from male for mating -- apparently the primitive (original) moist rain forests to hot deserts. These insects are funnily behavior in Orthoptera. Short-horned Grasshoppers shaped and are distinguishable by their long legs and the (Acridities) have a contorted mating posture with the male surprisingly loud noise they make. Grasshoppers are mounting the female, but the abdomen twisted eccentrically, herbivorous insects, which can jump, walk and fly. Arnett R.H., (2004).

Grasshoppers have a typical 3 - part body, which The given project is selected to understand the diversity of includes the head, thorax and abdomen. They also have 2 Grasshopper in local area so it may contribute in conservation antennae, 2 pairs of wings and 6 legs. Keep observation to ’ of biodiversity of Grasshoppers. In certain cases the data may learn more about grasshopper s habitat and facts about be utilized for Integrated Pest Management (IPM). grasshoppers. These insects belong to the order Orthoptera Materials and Methods and suborder . There are around 10,000 types of grasshoppers. Some species have toxic bodies which are Where to find-

brightly colored, which is supposed to be a warning (of their The region of Amravati City around the Walgaon (Azad poisonous nature) to their predators. Some species are unable Colony), where the density of green farms and field is more to make sounds by rubbing their legs. This sound is a mating was selected to collect young and active Grasshoppers for the call and therefore, some species are brightly colored to attract study of their diversity among the size, shape and coloration. their mate. Grasshoppers are found in the spring and summer, but are Key Identification of Grasshopper species: most noticeable in the autumn. Areas with many grasses, small "vacant" lots and gardens are good places to start A wealth of knowledge concerning grasshopper biology looking. Searching Grasshopper, during the middle of the day and ecology, damage potential and control practices is provide best results. At the night, a flashlight to find available to anyone with the interest and the ability to search grasshoppers resting on the leaves was used. In the summer through entomological literature. The searcher will quickly and autumn, some grasshoppers fly into porch lights and note, however, that grasshoppers differ significantly in their therefore such porches were screened for grasshoppers. biological attributes, damage potential and susceptibility to management. Hence, field workers must be able to identify How to collect

grasshoppers, or the abundance of specific information on Catching grasshoppers requires patience and determination. grasshoppers is practically useless. Believing that The grasshoppers have wings; many species can fly faster grasshopper identification are the key to knowledge than we can run. Those without wings are easier to chase. concerning grasshoppers, Researcher Provide a dichotomous Grasshoppers are perceptive and can sense us when we are key to the adult grasshoppers known or thought to occur in several feet away. An insect net can be swinged or placed Colorado. The illustrated key presented here is adapted from over the plant while holding up the bottom of the net. With Alexander (1941); it is revised extensively although the hands grasshoppers are gently coax into the net. They can original format is retained. walk or jump up into the net. Once in the net, they gently Metamorphosis gradual (paurometabolous), nymphs picked up and placed in a container. It is also possible to resemble adults, typically develop external wing buds, and collect grasshoppers by very slowly moving a glass or plastic live in the same habitat as adults, typically taking the same vial towards the grasshopper's head and they will jump into it. Publication History ManuIscSripSt NRec:e2iv2ed7 8-5:2 9192 M a y 2 0 1 3 10 Manuscript Accepted : 20 May 2013 Revision Received : 28 May 2013 Manuscript Published : 30 June 2013

International Journal of Latest Research in Science and Technology. Equipments Used For Collection-

Before proceeding to collecting the Grasshoppers the equipments used for collection was assembled. The equipments used were simple and inexpensive. The collecting kit include following items.Collecting net, plastic jar, Foresep, Thermacool sheath, Pins, Notebook, Pencils, Camera, Adhesive solution etc.

The Grasshoppers were pest over the sheath within the boxes sketched by marker pen. The distance between two specimens was 03-04 inches; which were essential for the separate photography of insects for their morphological

identification and separate from bulk species of Orthoptera or simply differentiate from cricket and katydids. Figure.1- Insect net ’ Grasshopper s external manifestation on the basis of their Methodology for Collection- color, size, shape and arrangement of hind limb and fore limb The Grasshoppers were collected with the help of collecting along with wing was done. nets. The net was made-up of nylon wire, which have loop of The digital camera was used for photography and to about 60 cm diameter. Over the nylon net the muslin cloth analyze the external appearance of Grasshoppers and similar bags were hanging. The loops of net were attached to the species which were found around the Azad colony, Walgaon stick of one miter length. Once a Grasshopper seen it is Road of Amravati City. collected with the help of net and stored in the plastic jar immediately. OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS

The Grasshopper were collected and knocked into an open USING AN IDENTIFICATION KEY plastic jar. The pnephtheline bolls were already kept into the This study reveals that in the morphological identification of plastic jar. Once the Grasshopper is entered into the jar, the Grasshoppers, keys like strong hind legs for jumping, lid is closed and Grasshopper got anesthesia due to coloration for defensive function from predators as well as to pnephtheline boll. After few hours it get die. The attract the females when mating is required, size, shape plays pnephtheline boll also helps to make the jar pest proof. an very important role. Following are the key identified varieties of grasshoppers from selected are (Azad colony, Walgaon road, Amravati).

Spur-throated Grasshopper

All members of this group have a distinct conical or cylindrical spur between the front pair of legs (Figure 3). The front of the face points straight downward, perpendicular to the long axis of the body (Figure 4). Adults are strong fliers and capable of dispersing long distances. Many members of this group can be economically damaging to rangeland or cropland. Figure.2- Types of killing jars. A, ethyl acetate saturated in plaster of paris; B, potassium cyanide crystals in bottom of jar, C, complete jar with protecting electrical tape and poison label.

Preservation, Pasting and Photography-

The collected Grasshopper are now picked up with the help of forceps; and pasted over the thermacool sheath. The pasting of the insects is done immediately after the death; otherwise body of insect gets rigid and breaking of delicate body parts takes place. The pasting of Grasshopper is done with the help of adhesive solution. Sometime the pins were also used. Pnepheline boll and camphor etc were also used to make the sheath pest proof.

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International Journal of Latest Research in Science and Technology. Band-winged Grasshopper The present study reveals that the diversity of grasshoppers can be studied on the basis of size, shape and colour of the The front of the face points straight downward, species, e.g. male grasshoppers are smaller than females, and perpendicular to the long axis of the body (Figure 2). There size varies greatly between species from a length of 1 cm to is no spur between the front pair of legs. The hind wings of more than 15 cm. Colors range from the plain shades of the adults are often brightly colored. Some species feed field dwellers to the brilliant hues of some rainforest species. exclusively on grasses and sedges. They are usually present In some instances, males and females are colored which helps in low numbers and are not economically damaging. to differentiate the species.

REFEENCES:

[1] Alexander B.K., 1941. Keys for the identification of Colorado Orthoptera (Grasshoppers). Univ. Colorado Studies, Series D-1(3): pp 129-164. [2] Ander V. L., 1939. The Scientific classification of division and order Orthoptera into two suborders (quoted by OSF) J. Environ. Entomol. (48) : pp 306-309. [3] Arnett R.H., 2004. General morphological study of Grasshoppers. A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico. (6th edition); pp 245-249. [4] Beamer J.K., 1917. Study of Grasshoppers in Kansas: Part II - Bulletin of the University of Kansas Biological Series 18(2), pp: 325-328. Slant-faced Grasshopper [5] Capinera J. L., R. D. Scott, and T. J. Walker, 2004. Field Guide to Grasshoppers, Katydids, and Crickets of the United States. J. Environ. The front of the face slants back toward the body (Figure Entomol. 16: pp 22-24. 3). There is no spur between the front pair of legs. The hind [6] Christopher O'Toole, 2002. Firefly Encyclopedia of Insects and wings on adults are colorless. Spiders, A revi. Inst. pp: 142-145.

[7] Christopher O'Toole, 2002. Firefly Encyclopedia of Insects and Spiders, j. archano. (34): pp 315-324. [8] Danks, H. V. 1987. Insect dormancy: an ecological perspective. Biological Survey Canada Monogr. Biol. Sur. Canada. pp: 439 -443. [9] Dempster M.U., 1963. The population dynamics of Grasshoppers and locusts. Biol. review (38): pp: 490-529. [10] Downer, R.G.H. and H. Laufer, 1983. Endocrinology of insects. New York City. Alan R. Liss, Inc.; pp707-709. [11] Edwards K.L. 1960. Relationship between Grasshoppers abundance and weather condition in Saskatchewan 1930-58 Canadian Entomologist 92 reseach article: pp 619-624. [12] Evans E.W., 1984. Fire as a natural disturbance to grasshopper assemblages of tailgrass prairie. Insect Ecology, Univ. Minn. Agr. Exp. Sta. Tech. Bull.: pp: 09-16. [13] Fisher, J. R. 1993. Location of elliotti egg pods in a crested wheatgrass field in Montana. J. Kansas Entomol. Soci. 65: pp 416-420.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION [14] Fisher, J. R. 1994. The effect of temperature on the post-diapause development and survival of embryos of three species of Melanoplus Grasshoppers are plant-eating insects characterized by long (Orthoptera: ). Analy. Entomol. Soci. America 87: pp 604- hind legs designed for locomotion by jumping. Like all 608. insects, the body of grasshoppers is divided into three main [15] Fisher, J. R., W. P. Kemp, and, F. B. Pierson, 1996. Study and behavior parts: head, thorax, and abdomen. On the head there are two hatch of the bigheaded grasshopper, Aulocara elliotti (Thomas) (Orthoptera: Acrididae). Environ. Entomol. 25, pp: 1158-1166. antennae for feeling and detecting scent, and two compound eyes comprised of many optical units called facets, each of [16] Gryllenberg V.N. 1974. A simulation model for testing the dynamics of a grasshopper population. J. Ecolo. 55: pp 645-650. which is like a miniature eye. The chewing mouthparts comprise two sets of jaws which move from side to side. The sides of the mouth have two pulps, tiny appendages for feeling and detecting chemicals, which aid in food selection. There are three pair of legs and two pairs of wings attached to the thorax, although some species are wingless. At the tip of the abdomen there are two appendages called cerci, and the external reproductive organs, Females have an ovipositor at the end of the abdomen through which the eggs are laid. Grasshoppers develop by incomplete metamorphosis passing from egg to a small wingless larval stage through several molts, to the mature adult.

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