ISSN 2372-2517 (Online), ISSN 2372-2479 (Print) METALEPTEAMETALEPTEA THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ORTHOPTERISTS’ SOCIETY
* Table of Contents is now clickable, which will President’s Message take you to a desired page. By MICHAEL SAMWAYS President [1] PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
n amazing gift to the [2] SOCIETY NEWS Orthopterists’ Society! [2] The Theodore J. Cohn Research Fund: Call for applications for 2015 The late Dr. Ted Cohn [2] Orthoptera Species File Grant generously donated Solicitation A US$1,240,000 to the [3] Symposium Announcement: A Orthopteroids set to steal the spot- Orthopterists’ Society. This fund- light at ESA, 2014 ing will be used to encourage young [4] Ould Babah is a new president researchers to undertake exciting of CLCPRO new research through The Ted Cohn porting all aspects of Orthopterology, [5] Book Announcement: A Guide Research Fund. This was the wish of from applied orthopterology, through to the Cockroaches of Australia By Ted, twice Past President of the So- David Rentz genetics and development to ethology, ciety, and truly dedicated researcher ecology and conservation, and on any with a strong belief in fostering the [5] REGIONAL REPORTS taxa that are Orthoptera sensu lato. field of Orthopterology. [5] India by ROHINI BALAKRISHNAN Particular support, but not exclusively, Ted was always a man of consider- will be given to Orthopterists who do able vision and unparalleled dedica- [6] OS GRANT REPORTS not otherwise have access to funds for tion. He was a philanthropist and, [6] Focus on Euryphyminae (Acridi- research. coupled with this, a great sense of hu- dae), Africa’s Endemic Agile Grass- This gift will have significant hoppers by CORINNA S. BAZELET mour along with a wonderful, positive positive impact on the field and will [8] Evolutionary recycling of sex outlook on life. This outstandingly enable us all to be a truly global chromosomes in Neotropical Mela- generous gift to the Orthopterists’ So- society with a great sense of common noplinae by ELIO R. D. CASTILLO ciety will be aimed principally at sup- purpose. [11] My Resilient and Surprising Colony of Orthoptera by ALEXANDRA PROKUDA Theodore J. Cohn, Montel- [12] BOOK REVIEW lier, France [12] Book Review: Rowell, C.H.F. 2001 (Photo 2013. The Grasshoppers (Caelifera) Credit: P. of Costa Rica and Panama by SAM Naskrecki) W. HEADS
[14] CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE [14] Locust and grasshopper out- breaks in Empangeni sugarcane, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa by ADRIAN BAM [17] Scarce Songs by TIM GARDINER
[18] EDITORIAL
Volume 34 (3) / September 2014 1 METALEPTEA The Theodore J. Cohn Research Fund: Call for applications for 2015 (Deadline : March 31, 2015) By MICHEL LECOQ Chair, Theodore J. Cohn Research Fund Committee
ellow Orthopterists, the judges with the basis for weighing also should include clearly stated hy- different projects, especially in fields potheses and aims, and the nature of I have the pleasure to outside their expertise) the evidence to be gathered to test the announce a new call for hypothesi(e)s and possible outcomes. 2015. I remind you that 3. RESEARCH PLAN, including the Proposals from graduate students FF this research grant is pri- particular orthopterans to be studied, must include a simple recommenda- marily in support of graduate students methods, logistics, etc. tion from their major professor or and young scientists for significant advisor. Those not affiliated with an basic research in Orthoptera (s.l.). 4. TIMETABLE, even if approxi- educational or research institution Thanks to the generous donation mate, to give the judges some idea of should indicate where the work is to of the late Dr. Theodore J. Cohn (see feasibility. be done. President’s message), it is now pos- A short report will be required from sible to fund research grants for up to CURRICULUM VITAE (half page) the successful applicants. It will be $1,500 per grantee. Particular support, including name, full address, pres- written for our newsletter Metaleptea, but not exclusively, will be given to ent position or years in graduate and be suitable for both orthopterist Orthopterists who do not otherwise school, education, number of papers and non-specialist readers. have access to funds for research. published or completed, citation of Proposals should be submitted to selected publications pertinent to the the Chair at the following address: The proposals should be in the fol- proposal to aid the judges. Michel Lecoq ([email protected]) lowing format and restricted to the indicated number of pages: BUDGET (half page) including I hope this year, as usual, we will justification of items where appropri- receive many exciting research pro- DESCRIPTION (one page) ate (i.e. why special equipment is posals from our young colleagues. It’s necessary unless clearly obvious), always fascinating, for the Com- 1. TITLE other funding for the project, etc. mittee members, to analyse all the Overheads cannot be provided for on proposals, reflecting a large activity 2. SIGNIFICANCE, stressing the Society grants. on Orthopteroids all over the world... new ideas and aspects of the proposal, and difficult to choose because all expected contribution to theory, rela- The Committee prefers proposals these proposals are generally of high tion to previous work, etc. (applicants applicable to broad biological prob- quality. should emphasize the nature and sig- lems, even though the actual research nificance of their proposal to provide may be narrower in scope. Proposals Orthoptera Species File Grant
Solicitation By MARIA MARTA CIGLIANO Orthoptera Species File Officer
he Orthopterists’ Society speciesfile.org/). Members of the defined by the applicant. The project in cooperation with the Orthopterists’ Society are invited to must involve benefit to the Orthop- Illinois Natural History apply. Applications should be sent to tera Species File or to a Species File Survey has provided María Marta Cigliano (cigliano@ for another group within Polyneop- funding for work in fcnym.unlp.edu.ar). tera. The usual benefit is the addi- TT support of the Orthop- tion of images (photographs of the tera Species File (http://orthoptera. Grants are available for a project as habitus and diagnostic details of type Volume 34 (3) / September 2014 2 METALEPTEA specimens, other reliably identified SIGNIFICANCE (highlighting the Preference will be given in relation to museum specimens, and/or living new data that will be added to OSF, the amount of data added into OSF, individuals), sound recordings and/ preferably to taxa currently lacking i.e. as the expected contribution to the or geo-referenced specimen records images, sound recordings, distribution considered taxa (dependent on already in the database. Projects may be records, etc.) existing data). Preference will be also proposed for periods of one to three OBJECTIVES, METHODS and AC- given to applicants who develop a years. TIVITIES proposal that is related somehow to TIMETABLE a taxonomic research project, and Funding availability for 2015 will demonstrate knowledge of the taxa in- be US$27,000. All requested informa- 2. CURRICULUM VITAE volved. The methods, e.g. techniques tion must be submitted by November for capturing images will be likewise 15, 2015 to receive full consideration. 3. BUDGET (including justifica- considered. tion of trips to museums, field work, The proposals should be in the fol- equipment, etc.) Important: A short financial and lowing format: tasks report will be required from the Proposals from graduate students grantees once the funding period is 1. DESCRIPTION: should include a simple recommenda- finished. TITLE tion from their professor or advisor. Symposium Announcement: Orthopteroids set to steal the spotlight at ESA, 2014 By DEREK A. WOLLER University of Central Florida Orlando, FL, USA ood news, fellow sity, [email protected]). else in the Society ran with the idea Society members! I am again next year and organized another pleased to announce The symposium will be held on symposium. If you’d like advice on that there will be a Tues., 11/18 from 1:30 to 5:30 PM how to do that or if you have any symposium focusing in a room that has yet to be assigned, questions prior to the event, feel free GG on orthopteroids in so please check the ESA schedule as to contact one of us using the e-mail their myriad diversity at this year’s soon as you receive one. The event addresses listed above. Entomological Society of America will consist of 13 invited talks of (ESA) conference (Nov. 16-19, 2015) varying lengths and, in addition to For your perusal, the line-up for the in Portland, Oregon. Believe it or not, containing a variety of orthopteroid symposium is as follows: it has been a decade since Hojun Song topics, will also include a good mix put together a symposium on Or- of seasoned researchers and up-and- 1. Know your orthopteroids: An thoptera, the last time this group was coming students. Additionally, the introduction to the subjects of this specifically represented at an ESA Society has agreed to fund an after- symposium meeting and something we felt it was symposium dinner for the speakers Tyler Raszick, Texas A&M University, high time to change. By “we”, I mean that all are welcome to attend with the College Station, TX myself (Dept. of Biology/Song Lab, location to be determined, so please University of Central Florida (UCF), stay tuned for that announcement after 2. Faster than cichlids? Rapid diversi- [email protected]) and the three col- the symposium. fication in Neoconocephalus leagues who have collaborated with Katy Frederick-Hudson, University of me on this endeavor: Tyler Raszick We truly hope that everyone who Missouri, Columbia, MO (Dept. of Entomology/Sword Lab, comes to this year’s ESA meeting will Texas A&M University, tjraszick@ also be able to attend at least a portion 3. Systematics of Sphenariina (Or- gmail.com), Ricardo Mariño-Pérez of our symposium. A big turnout will thoptera; Pyrgomorphidae) (Dept. of Biology/Song Lab, UCF, go a long way in convincing the ESA Oscar Salomon Sanabria-Urban, [email protected]), and Jo- leaders to highlight orthopteroids UNAM FES_Iztacala, Tlanepatla, Vonn Hill (Mississippi Entomological more often in the future. In fact, we Mexico Museum, Mississippi State Univer- think it’d be wonderful if someone
Volume 34 (3) / September 2014 3 METALEPTEA 4. What we could learn from a phy- 8. Talking back to the night: Vibration- 11. Cryptic diversity within the North logeny of Blaberoidea al communication in the New Zea- American Jerusalem crickets (Orthop- Dominic Evangelista, Rutgers, The land Giant Weta (Anostostomatidae: tera: Stenopelmatidae): Influences of State University of New Jersey, New- Deinacrida) acoustic signaling and habitat hetero- ark, NJ Daniel R. Howard, Augustana Col- geneity lege, Sioux Falls, SD Amy Vandergast, U.S. Geological 5. Some like it hot, some like it cold: Survey, San Diego, CA Thermal tolerance in Australian al- 9. Project Mantodea: An update on pine grasshoppers the phylogeny and revision of two 12. Lessons from the embiopteran Rachel Slatyer, Michael Nash and Ary praying mantis clades (Earless Neo- silk road Hoffmann, University of Melbourne, tropicals and the Hymenopodidae) Janice Edgerly-Rooks, Santa Clara Parkville, Australia Gavin J. Svenson, Cleveland Museum University, Santa Clara, CA and Ben- of Natural History, Cleveland, OH nett Addison, Arizona State Univer- 6. Edible orthopteroids: The Mexican sity, Tempe, AZ case 10. DNA barcoding to determine the Ricardo Mariño-Pérez, University of diets of prairie grasshoppers 13. Acoustic communication in Neo- Central Florida, Orlando, FL John Barone1, Kevin Burgess1, Scott conocephalus: From ion channels to Whitley1 and JoVonn Hill2, 1Columbus phylogenetics 7. Combining nutrition and communi- State University, Columbus, GA, 2Mis- Johannes Schul, University of Mis- ty ecology of grasshoppers to benefit sissippi State University, Mississippi souri, Columbia, MO ecosystems and people State, MS Paul Lenhart, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY Congratulations, Ould Babah! The new president of “Commission de lutte contre le Criquet pèlerin dans la Région occidentale (CLCPRO)”
he regional representa- and control activi- tive of the Orthopterists’ ties against the Desert Society in North Africa Locust within these and the Sahel, Dr. Mo- ten countries through hamed Abdallahi EBBE a regional cooperative TT (Known as Ould Babah) framework. This pre- was elected President of the Desert ventive locust control Locust Control Commission (Western programme includes, Region) (CLCPRO). Ould Babah was among other things, elected President of CLCPRO dur- monitoring the Desert ing the 7th Session that was held in locust situation, the Nouakchott (Mauritania) from June development of plans to 22 to 26, 2014 in conjunction with manage the locust risk, the 9th Meeting of the Executive training, research and Committee. The CLCPRO, whose environmental studies. secretariat is provided by FAO, has A regional system to fi- 10 member countries, namely Algeria, nance the locust control Burkina Faso, Libya, Mali, Morocco, programme is also being developed retariat: Dr Mohamed Lemine Ham- Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Chad and by CLCPRO. ouny (AGPM)
Regional Reports - What’s happening around the world? India provide diagnostic features and cri- known Indian species, P. platycleis. Recent work on the taxonomy of teria for Indian phalangopsid genera They also described two new species based on morphology and genitalic of this genus from southern India, Indian crickets: a report characters and, most importantly, P. kervasae Jaiswara (n. sp.) and P. By ROHINI BALAKRISHNAN a taxonomic key to these genera. masinagudi Jaiswara (n. sp.). Centre for Ecological Sciences Two new genera, Opiliosina Desut- Indian Institute of Science Bangalore 560012, India ter-Grandcolas and Speluncasina Additionally, an update on cricket Desutter-Grandcolas have also been species of the subfamily Trigoniidae he classic work of L. erected. Five new species have been found in the North-Western Indian Chopard on the cricket described: Kempiola flavipunctatus state of Rajasthan, including a new fauna of India culmi- Desutter-Grandcolas (n. sp.), Opiliosi- record of the genus Natula from this nated in the publication na meridionalis Desutter-Grandcolas state, was provided by Mal et al. of the major taxonomic (n. gen. n. sp.), Phalangopsina boli- (2014). T work on the Grylloidea T vari Desutter-Grandcolas (n. sp.), P. of India (Chopard, 1969). Since then, chopardi Desutter-Grandcolas (n. sp.), References however, there have been no major and P. gravelyi Desutter-Grandcolas taxonomic revisions attempted of (n. sp.). This work provides an impor- Chopard, L. (1969) The fauna of India and most gryllid groups in India. Although tant foundation for future studies on adjacent countries. Orthoptera. Volume the Indian subcontinent is one of rich- 2. Grylloidea. Baptist Mission Press, Indian Phalangopsidae. est in terms of diversity of the Phalan- Calcutta. gopsidae, there have been few studies In a more recent paper, Jaiswara and on this group since Chopard. In this Desutter-Grandcolas, L. and Jaiswara, Desutter-Grandcolas (2014) examined context, the paper by Desutter-Grand- R. (2012) Phalangopsidae crickets from and re-described the genus Ptero- colas and Jaiswara (2012) on Indian the Indian Region (Orthoptera, Grylloi- plistes, whose taxonomic affinities dea), with the descriptions of new taxa, phalangopsids represents a major step have been controversial, and its only diagnoses for genera, and a key to Indian forward. In this paper, the authors Volume 34 (3) / September 2014 5 METALEPTEA genera. Zootaxa 3444: 1–39. species Pteroplistes kervasae Jaiswara, n. Mal, J., Nagar, R. and Swaminathan, sp. and Pteroplistes masinagudi Jaiswara, R. (2014). Record of Natula matsuurai Jaiswara, R. and Desutter-Grandcolas, L. n. sp. (Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Pteroplisti- Sugimoto (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Trigo- (2014). Revision of the genus Pteroplistes nae). Zootaxa 3814: 96–108. nidiinae) and other sword-tailed crickets in India, with the description of two new from India. Zootaxa 3760: 458–462. The Orthopterists’ Society Grant Reports Focus on Euryphyminae (Acrididae), Africa’s Endemic Agile Grasshoppers By CORINNA S. BAZELET Stellenbosch University South Africa n South Africa’s Kgalagadi cercus. Fifty-four Transfrontier Park, an arid aca- species in 18 genera cia savannah wedged as a pan- are known to occur handle between Botswana and in South Africa Namibia, in the early mornings alone, with approxi- II of early summer, hours before mately 5 additional ground temperatures reach their peak, genera and 40 spe- large populations of Euryphymus cies occurring else- kalahariensis Barker, 1984 bask, feed where in sub-Saha- and mate on the dry, sandy soil. This ran Africa (Eades et euryphymine grasshopper is small al. 2014). Euryphy- and robust, easily camouflages into minae has distinct the ground, and displays black inner centers of endemism femora and bright yellow hind tibia in southern African as part of its sexual display. Despite arid regions, in- the early hour, not only is E. kalaha- cluding two of the riensis the most abundant insect in its world’s biodiversity environment, but its movements are hotspots, South Af- surprisingly agile, raising questions rica’s Cape Floristic about physiological adaptations and Region and Succu- evolutionary processes which allowed lent Karoo biomes. for this generally inhospitable eco- Both hotspots are logical niche to be so suitably filled. Mediterranean-type Traveling South from Kgalagadi ecosystems noted through South Africa’s arid Great for their extremely Karoo semi-desert, similar highly high levels of plant Figure 1. Pachyphymus carinatus (A) and P. namaquensis (B). (Photo localized pockets of different species diversity (Myers et credit P. Naskrecki) of Euryphyminae can be found, all al. 2000) and propor- sharing the same agile behaviour and tionately poorer, but Needless to say, much work is needed association with arid habitats. still speciose and endemic, inverte- in order for us to better understand Despite their charismatic behav- brate fauna. Despite their fascinating these fascinating organisms. iour and appearance, Euryphyminae habitat, no behavioural or ecological To begin to chip away at the black is among the most poorly known studies have focused on the Euryphy- box that is the Euryphyminae, Dr. subfamilies of the Orthoptera. Su- minae, no DNA sequences are depos- Piotr Naskrecki and I conducted a perficially resembling Calliptaminae, ited in GenBank, and the most recent revision of Pachyphymus (Bazelet Dirsh (1956a) first described Eury- taxonomic studies were a review of & Naskrecki 2014), the most easily phyminae as a distinct subfamily on Namibian and Angolan species and identifiable genus of Euryphyminae, the basis of the strikingly different a revision of the genus Rhachitopis notable for its double hump-shaped shape of their epiphallus and male in the 1990s (Naskrecki 1992, 1995). pronotal crests when viewed laterally,
Volume 34 (3) / September 2014 6 METALEPTEA
Figure 2. Table illustrating the principal diagnostic differences between the four species of Pachyphymus. reminiscent of a camel’s humps (Fig. Despite our best efforts and numerous 2). However, while the four species 1). No other species of Euryphymi- collecting trips, we were never able to were easy to diagnose, there were also nae possesses such a pronotum, and collect more fresh specimens. Based series of specimens with intermediate as a result, members of this genus on all available specimens, we were characters which were collected from are often confused with Trilophidia able to identify and describe two new convergence points where distribution (Oedipodinae). Prior to this study, species: samwaysi, named for Prof. ranges of two species met, possibly two species of Pachyphymus were Michael Samways, current president indicating recent or ongoing hybrid- described: cristulifer was originally of the Orthopterists’ Society, and na- ization or speciation. described as Calliptamus cristu- maquensis, named for the Namaqual- If Pachyphymus, the most easily lifer (Serville, 1838) but was later and region of South Africa, where this recognizable euryphymine genus redescribed by Uvarov (1922) who species exclusively occurs. We also could include two previously unde- erected the genus Pachyphymus; and revised the key morphological char- scribed species, then it is reasonable carinatus described by Dirsh (1956b). acters which Dirsh (1956b) used for to assume that many more species Dirsh (1956b) also provided a general his initial diagnosis. Whereas Dirsh of the Euryphyminae await diagno- diagnosis of the two species belong- (1956b) found the degree of rugosity sis and description. While this study ing to the genus and identified mor- of the pronotum, and height and shape represents just the tip of the iceberg of phological characters which could be of the pronotal ‘crests’ to be diagnos- what remains to be discovered about used to differentiate them. tic, we found these to be highly vari- the Euryphyminae, efforts to study As a first step to revising the genus, able within species. Instead, we found them are made more difficult by their we gathered all Pachyphymus speci- the single most diagnostic character extreme agility and narrow spatial mens housed in South African muse- to be the color and degree of infuma- and temporal windows of distribution. ums (~200 specimens) as well as two tion of the hind wing, with shape of Although the list of what remains to specimens which Naskrecki collected the male cercus and female subgenital be studied in the Euryphyminae is and photographed in the field (Fig. 1). plate also helpful for diagnosis (Fig. longer than the list of what we already Volume 34 (3) / September 2014 7 METALEPTEA know, one thing which seems clear is Dirsh, V. M. 1956b. The South African Myers, N., R. A. Mittermeier, C. G. Mit- the need to act now, as climate change genera Pachyphymus Uvarov, Xeno- termeier, G. A. B. da Fonseca, and J. Kent. has been shown to have a significant tettix Uvarov and Duplessisia gen. n. 2000. Biodiversity hotspots for conserva- impact on arid regions including (Orthoptera, Acridoidea). Journal of the tion priorities. Nature 403:853-858. centers of endemism of the Euryphy- Entomological Society of Southern Africa 19:132-142. Naskrecki, P. A. 1992. A taxonomic minae (Foden et al. 2007). revision of the Southern African Genus Eades, D. C., D. Otte, M. M. Cigliano, Rhachitopis Uvarov, 1922 (Acridoidea: References and H. Braun. 2014. Orthoptera Species Euryphyminae). Journal of Orthoptera File. Version 5.0/5.0. http://Orthoptera. Research 1:58-72. Bazelet, C. S., and P. Naskrecki. 2014. SpeciesFile.org. [8May2014]. Taxonomic revision of the southern Naskrecki, P. A. 1995. A review of the African genus Pachyphymus Uvarov, 1922 Foden, W., G. F. Midgley, G. Hughes, W. Euryphyminae of Nambia and Angola (In- (Orthoptera: Acridoidea: Euryphyminae). J. Bond, W. Thuiller, M. T. Hoffman, P. secta: Acridoidea). Cimbebasia 14:71-83. Zootaxa 3753:401-420. Kaleme, L. G. Underhill, A. Rebelo, and L. Hannah. 2007. A changing climate is Uvarov, B. P. 1922. Notes on the Orthop- Dirsh, V. M. 1956a. The phallic complex eroding the geographical range of the tera in the British Museum. 2. The group in Acridoidea (Orthoptera) in relation to Namib Desert tree Aloe through popula- of Calliptamini. Transactions of the Royal taxonomy. Transactions of the Royal Ento- tion declines and dipersal lags. Diversity Entomological Society 48:117-177. mological Society 108:223-356. and Distributions 13:645-653.
Evolutionary recycling of sex chromosomes in Neotropical Melanoplinae By ELIO R. D. CASTILLO Instituto de Biología Subtropical CONICET-UNaM Laboratorio de Genética Evolutiva Argentina rthopterans are a fasci- lutionary structural modifications of natural populations. Besides, some nating group of insects the standard karyotype due to differ- species have proved to be excellent in multiple ways. My ent types of chromosomal mutations experimental models to study how own research focuses have occurred along their history. chromosomal rearrangements oc- on the evolutionary There are instances of reduction in cur and affect critical features of the OO relationships of South chromosome number with no mor- genetic system, e.g recombination American acridoid grasshoppers with phological variation of chromosomes, (Castillo et al 2010a, b; Castillo et al. emphasis in the Melanoplinae. In presumably due to tandem fusions, an 2014). this respect, evidences from differ- unusual kind of chromosome muta- One of the most important com- ent research areas, such as taxonomy, tion (i.e., Dichroplus pratensis with ponents of chromosome variation in morphometrics, molecular genetics, all-telocentric 2n=19/20 or some spe- Acrididae is constituted by neo-sex and cytogenetics are of relevance for cies of Trimerotropis). Reduction of chromosome systems, which arose the understanding of the evolutionary the number of chromosomes without independently from standard X0/XX history of these species, which is my change in the fundamental number systems within several lineages. In main objective. In this report I will (FN) through centric fusion has also Acrididae, species karyotypes show summarize some cytogenetic charac- occurred and is manifested as fixed a trend toward the fixation of centric teristics of melanoplines and highlight interspecific differences (either auto- fusions; the cytogenetic evidence in their biological relevance. somal or involving sex chromosomes, an important number of melanoplines Pioneering cytogenetic research see below) or, more frequently, poly- supports this premise, showing spe- has shown that acridid grasshoppers morphisms. Intraspecific variation due cies with derived karyotypes and neo- display an apparent karyotypic stabil- to polymorphic centric fusions (i.e. sex chromosome mechanisms (Bidau ity, with the vast majority of species Dichroplus pratensis Bidau & Martí & Martí 2001; Castillo et al. 2010 a,b; exhibiting a standard (and presumably 2002, and Dichroplus fuscus Taffarel Bidau et al. 2011). In general terms, ancestral) acro-telocentric karyotype et al. 2014) or pericentric inversions when there is centromeric breakage of (2n=23♂/24♀; FN= 23/24) including (i.e. Trimerotropis spp Guzmán & the X chromosome and an autosome, an XO/XX chromosomal sex determi- Confalonieri, 2010) are important and subsequent fusion occurs, a neo- nation mechanism. Nevertheless, evo- sources of chromosomal variation in sex chromosome arises (Castillo et al. Volume 34 (3) / September 2014 8 METALEPTEA
Figure 1. Schematic view of neo-sex chromosome formation produced by centric fusion a) between an Autosome (A) and the X chromosome. Male individuals of a1 Atrachelacris unicolor, a2 Ronderosia malloi, a3 Ronderosia forcipata, a4 Dichroplus obscurus; b) between the neo-Y and another autosome, giving rise to a neo-X1X2Y complex sex-chromosome mechanism. Male individuals of b1 Dichromatos schrottkyi, b2 Di- chromatos lilloanus. The South America map shows the potential distribution of melanopline species with neo-XY (in blue) and with complex sex chromosome mechanisms (in orange).
2010 b). This neo-X chromosome is the new sex region, which drives the degree of differentiation, indicative of formed by the XL arm (the ancestral XY divergence process (Charlesworth a recent origin, where the neo-Y still X chromosome) and the XR arm (the et al. 2005, Kejnovsky et al. 2009). conserves high homology with the ex-autosome), and the homologue of While this is so in most of the stud- XR arm of the neo-X. Recently arisen the fused autosome is now called the ied models, in Orthoptera the events simple neo-sex chromosome systems neo-Y (Fig. 1a). While the mechanism could follow a different path (Castillo will be initially represented by a sex of the physical chromosome rear- et al. 2010 a,b; Bidau et al. 2011, pair, which still conserves almost rangement per se in not difficult to Castillo et al. 2014). Neotropical the whole of the homology, synaptic understand, the evolutionary implica- Melanopline species are ideal models ability, and possibility of free recom- tions of this phenomenon require a for the study of sex chromosome evo- bination along the fused autosome more detailed study. In recent publica- lution because many cases of neo-sex (XR) and its homologue, the neo-Y tions we have had the opportunity to chromosomes at various evolution- (e.g. Oedaleonotus enigma Hewitt accurately describe and discuss sev- ary stages are known (Hewitt 1979, & Schroeter 1968). On the other end eral interesting cases (Castillo et al. Castillo et al. 2010 a,b). The amazing of the cytogenetic spectrum, there is 2010 a,b; Bidau et al. 2011; Castillo et diversity of neo-XY chromosome almost complete loss of homology al. 2014). systems in this group is due mainly to between Y and XR, evidenced by an Acridid neo-sex chromosomes allow X-A centric fusions that occurred re- extremely reduced synaptic region, the addressing of one of the most ex- peatedly in the evolutionary history of exclusive distal meiotic association, citing issues in evolutionary biology, several lineages (Bidau & Martí 2001, accumulation of repetitive heterochro- that of the emergence and divergence Mesa et al. 2001; Castillo et al. 2010 matic sequences in the Y, and even- of sex chromosomes. In general, clas- a,b; Castillo et al 2014). Probably tually the possibility to fix complex sic theory of sex chromosome evolu- however, the most important feature structural rearrangements (examples tion proposes as the starting point, the of South American Melanoplinae of this “terminal” stage are Ron- appearance of a sex-determining gene neo-sex chromosomes is that several derosia bergii [Sáez 1963, Cardoso & in a pair of ordinary autosomes. Later evolutionary instances defined by Dutra 1979] and Dichroplus vittatus on, sex determining and/or sex-related particular cytogenetic properties have [Bidau & Martí 2001]). genes begin to be inherited together been identified (Castillo et al. 2010 Between these two cases, a continu- due to abolition of recombination near b). Only a few species show a small ous spectrum of neo-sex chromosome Volume 34 (3) / September 2014 9 METALEPTEA conditions revealing different evolu- al. 2010 b). All neo-X1X2Y species descriptive studies of neo-XY chro- tionary strata are found (White 1973, belong to genera in which neo-XY mosomes in Melanoplinae nothing is Hewitt 1979, Castillo et al. 2010a, mechanisms are frequent (i.e. Ron- known about their meaning in evo- b). Some examples can be mentioned derosia, Scotussa), or all known lutionary terms and their role in sex as follow: Dichroplus obscurus, species share this type of sex chromo- determination remains a mystery in Atrachelacris unicolor, Rondero- somes (Dichromatos). Since X1X2Y Orthoptera. The description and un- sia forcipatus, R. malloi, Eurotettix mechanisms derive from previous XY derstanding of neo-sex chromosomes’ minor, Zoniopoda iheringi: the sex systems through centric fusion of the structure, meiotic behavior, and their pair of these species is formed by a neo-Y with a second autosome (the origin in species of Orthoptera is metacentric neo-X, product of the unfused element becoming X2), it is a little-explored field and actually centric fusion of the ancestral X and probable that all known cases have deserves more attention than it has an autosome while the homologue of originated from advanced XY sys- received (Bidau et al. 2011). the translocated autosome becomes tems. This is reasonable, considering the telocentric neo-Y. Despite the that the probability of rapid occur- Acknowledgments: I am very same mechanism proposed for the rence of two sequential fusions is grateful to the Orthopterist´s Soci- neo-sex chromosome system of these very low (Castillo et al. 2010 b). ety for partially supporting, through species, the neo-sex pair involved The cytogenetic evidence suggests a research grant, this Ph.D. on the different pairs of autosomes, at least that the replacement of X0-XX for diversity of neo-sex chromosomes in at the generic level. An example of a XY-XX was favored many times Neotropical Melanoplinae. highly evolved neo-XY system was in Neotropical Melanoplinae. The studied in Dichroplus silveiragui- high frequency of neo-sex chromo- References doi. This species is unique in being some determination systems, and Bidau C.J., Martí D.A. 2001. Meiosis 2n=8 (see above) and the only one their independent origins point to and the Neo-XY of Dichroplus vittatus (Melanoplinae, Acrididae): a comparison known in which the neo-X is telocen- a higher incidence of chromosome between sexes. Genetica 110:185–194. tric, the neo-Y being very small and rearrangement within this group. If acrocentric (Sáez 1957). Due to this this is so, are centric fusions (or other Bidau C.J., Martí D.A. 2002. Geographic extraordinarily re-arranged karyotype rearrangements involved in neo-sex distribution of Robertsonian fusions in it is very difficult to infer the evolu- chromosome formation) random chro- Dichroplus pratensis (Melanoplinae, tionary history of the sex chromo- mosome restructures due to events of Acrididae): the central-marginal hypoth- somes (Cardoso et al. 1974, Cardoso non-homologous recombination? Is esis reanalysed. Cytogenetic and Genome & Dutra 1979). Dichroplus vittatus selection involved in neo-sex chromo- Research 96: 66–74. and its close relative D. maculipen- some maintenance in natural popula- nis have complex neo-XY systems, tions or is it genetic drift? (Veltsos et Bidau C.J., Martí D.A. & Castillo, E.R.D. 2011: Inexorable spread: inexorable which are not interpretable in classic al. 2008) death? The fate of neo-XY chromosomes terms (Bidau & Martí 2001; Mesa Differently from other insect of grasshoppers. – J. Genet. 90: 397-400. et al. 2001; Castillo, Martí & Bidau, groups, little is known about the unpub.) An unusual origin of neo-sex intimate mechanism of sex-determi- Cardoso H., Dutra A. 1979. The neo-X chromosomes was recently proposed nation in Orthoptera and most derives neo-Y sex pair in Acrididae, its structure for Boliviacris noroestensis (Castillo from extrapolation of theoretical and association. Chromosoma 70:323- et al. 2014). and empirical data of other biologi- 336. In a further leap of complexity, cal systems (White 1973; Pannell & a neo-XY system may undergo a Pujol 2009; Kaiser & Bachtrog Cardoso H., Sáez F.A., Brum-Zorrilla N. conversion into an X1X2Y system 2010). Thus, the main question in this 1974. Location, structure and behaviour of C-heterochromatin during meiosis through a Y-autosome fusion if a sec- respect is: are neo-sex chromosomes in Dichroplus silveiraguidoi (Acrididae- ond pair of telo/acrocentric autosomes in Orthoptera subject to the classical Orthoptera). Chromosoma 48:51-64. is available to become incorporated path of sex chromosome evolution? into the sex chromosome mechanism All the cytogenetic evidence currently Castillo E.R.D., Bidau C.J. & Martí D.A. (Fig. 1b) (White 1973, Hewitt 1979, available points to a different path, for 2010a: Neo-sex chromosome diversity in Castillo et al. 2010 a,b). Although whose elucidation new molecular evi- Neotropical melanoplinae grasshoppers much less frequent than typical neo- dence is necessary, especially relating (Melanoplinae, Acrididae). – Genetica XY chromosomes the majority of to neo-Y chromosome degeneration 138: 775-786. these complex systems correspond and the mapping of sex-determining to Neotropical species of restricted genes in the new sex chromosomes Castillo E.R.D., Bidau C.J. & Martí D. A. 2010b: Sex- and neo-sex chromosomes in geographic distribution (Castillo et in this particular group. Also, despite Volume 34 (3) / September 2014 10 METALEPTEA Orthoptera: a review. Journal of Orthop- Berlin. Evolution 24: 59-63. tera Research 19: 213-231. Hewitt G. M., Schroeter G. L. 1968 Popu- Sáez F.A. 1957. An extreme karyotype in Castillo Elio R.D., A. Taffarel, D.A. Martí lation cytology of Oedaleonotus. I. The an orthopteran insect. American Natural- 2014. The early evolutionary history of karyotypic facies of Oedaleonotus enigma ist 91: 259-264. neo-sex chromosomes in Neotropical (Scudder). Chromosoma25, 121–140. grasshoppers, Boliviacris noroestensis Sáez F.A. 1963. Gradient of heterochro- (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Melanoplinae) Kaiser V. B. and Charlesworth B. 2010 matinization in the evolution of the Eur. J. Entomol. 111 (3): 321-327, 2014 | Muller’s Ratchet and the degeneration of sexual system “neo-X neo-Y”. Portugalia 10.14411/eje.2014.047 the Drosophila Miranda neo-Y chromo- Acta Biologica,. Ser. A, 7: 111-138. some. Genetics185, 339–348. Charlesworth D., Charlesworth B., Marais Taffarel A., Bidau C.J. & Martí D.A. Chro- G. 2005. Steps in the evolution of het- Kejnovsky E., Hobza R., Cermak T., Kubat mosome fusion polymorphisms in Dichro- eromorphic sex chromosomes. Heredity Z., Vyskot B. 2009. The role of repetitive plus fuscus (Acrididae: Melanoplinae): 95:118–128. DNA in structure and evolution of sex insights on meiotic effects. Eur. J. Entoml. chromosomes in plants. Heredity 102: 2014. In Press Guzmán, N.V.; Confalonieri V.A. 2010 The 533–541. evolution of South American populations Veltsos P., Keller I., Nichols R.A. 2008. of Trimerotropis pallidipennis (Oedi- Mesa A., Fontanetti C.S., García Novo P. The inexorable spread of a newly arisen podinae: Acrididae) revisited: disper- 2001. Does an X-autosome centric fusión neo-y chromosome. PLoS Genetics 4: sion routes and origin of chromosomal in Acrdoidea condemn the species to ex- e1000082. inversion clines Journal of Orthoptera tinction? Journal of Orthoptera Research Research vol. 19 p. 253 - 260 10: 141-146. White M.J.D. 1973. Animal Cytology and Evolution. 3rd Edit. Cambridge University Hewitt G.M. 1979. Animal Cytogenetics, Pannell J.R., Pujol B. 2009. The para- Press, Cambridge. vol. 3, Insecta 1. Orthoptera. Grasshop- doxical spread of a new Y chromosome-a pers and crickets. Gebrüder Borntraeger, novel explanation. Trends in Ecology and My Resilient and Surprising Colony of Orthoptera
By ALEXANDRA PROKUDA University of California-Riverside Riverside, CA, USA he summer during which rely on improvised I was supported by the measures. Some Orthopterists’ Society of the grant money things did not go as from the Orthopter- planned. My project was ists’ Society was TT stalled and would later used for water trays have to be completely overhauled due under the cages, to the mechanical engineer’s difficul- bleach solution ties in building the needed equipment. used as insecticide The females in the Gryllus firmus spray on the trails stock I had been working with did not of ants outside the seem to find the same males attrac- cages, caulk for tive as those in previous generations. plugging up ant Worst of all, the stock cages became entry ways, and a overrun with Argentine ants looking multitude of other for water and food in the near-desert devices in the war the repeatability of female choice for southern California climate. Every against the unwanted invaders. the song of male crickets in G. firmus. day would bring new casualties in Some of the crickets that were G. firmus is a dimorphic species with my stock cages with several individu- saved were used as the parent genera- short-winged and long-winged indi- als being swarmed by ants in each tion for a population to be used in a viduals. What was known from previ- cage. Since most of the usual tricks of female preference study, also sup- ous experiments in my lab is that fe- fumigation or insecticide spray would ported by the Orthopterists’ Society males prefer the short-winged morph. also harm my model species I had to grant. Specifically I was looking into The results from my repeatability
Volume 34 (3) / September 2014 11 METALEPTEA experiment, however, sug- significant). These results suggest a gested that there was no pref- few things: that the female preference erence for the shirt-winged has changed, the males’ songs are morph in the stock population somehow different, or that this was any longer. More importantly, an artifact of the experimental design. there seemed to be assortative I am currently running experiments mating by wing morph with that will elucidate the basis of the long-winged females signifi- female preference and will help in cantly more often choosing either supporting or refuting some of long-winged males and with these hypotheses. Based on personal short-winged females show- observations so far, and a year after ing a similar preference for the initial experiment, the assortative short-winged males (although mating behavior is still present and this result was not statistically still puzzling. Book Review: Rowell, C.H.F. 2013. The Grasshoppers (Caelifera) of Costa Rica and Panama. The Orthopterists’ Society Publications on Orthopteran Diversity, 611 pp. ISBN: 98-0-615-90904-2, $25(US). By SAM W. HEADS Illinois Natural History Survey Illinois, USA aturalists have long diverse part of Central America is still by a brief been fascinated by Cen- in its nascent stages and monographic review of the tral America. The aston- treatments of the fauna will continue Caelifera and ishing faunal and floral to be both necessary and valuable. the compo- diversity of the region Enter C.H.F. Rowell’s recently nent family- NN along with its biogeo- published volume, The Grasshop- group taxa graphical and evolutionary impor- pers (Caelifera) of Costa Rica and recognized tance, make it a mecca for biologists Panama, the latest in the Society’s by the author of all disciplines. The allure of Cen- Publications on Orthopteran Diversity in his clas- tral America has afflicted a number series, published in November 2013. sification. of orthopterists throughout history, The book is undoubtedly a landmark This includes including such famed individuals as contribution not only to knowledge of Tridactyloi- Henri de Saussure, Lawrence Bruner, the grasshoppers of southern Central dea, Tetrigoidea, Proscopioidea, Eu- Albert Morse and Morgan Hebard. America, but also to orthopterology as mastacoidea, Pyrgomorphoidea, and In terms of biogeographical signifi- a whole. The volume is, at 611 pages, Acridoidea. Curiously, no mention is cance, the isthmus of Panama and the comprehensive, authoritative, gener- made of the Pneumoroidea, Tanaocer- neighboring tropical forests of Costa ously illustrated, and certainly an oidea or Trigonopterygoidea, presum- Rica are among the most interesting essential addition to the library of any ably because these taxa are not known areas in the region. Various orthopter- orthopterist with interests in Neotropi- from Costa Rica or Panama. Brief ists have studied the fauna of this part cal grasshoppers. descriptions of the various family- of Central America over the years The book begins with a short dedi- groups are provided, which serves to and there is now a significant body cation to the people of Costa Rica and provide context. of literature on the Orthoptera of the Panama, closely followed by a com- The introduction is followed by a area (including, of course, Katydids of bined preface and acknowledgements glossary, which outlines the morphol- Costa Rica, Vol. 1 by Piotr Naskrecki, section. The rest of the introduction ogy of acridomorph grasshoppers. published by the Society in 2000). comprises a short section outlining Here, Rowell outlines the terminology Nevertheless, the study of Orthoptera the rationale behind the book and an used throughout the rest of the book in this fascinating and extremely bio- explanation of its layout, etc. followed and provides clear illustrations of the
Volume 34 (3) / September 2014 12 METALEPTEA various structures. This will be of Trigonopterygoidea to the exclusion and a note about taxonomic changes use to those readers unfamiliar with of Tridactyloidea and Tetrigoidea. included in the book. In addition, acridomorph structure. Unfortunately Indeed, Rowell’s own molecular work black and white versions of the color however, the author has missed the (with P.K. Flook) has supported these habitus illustrations are interspersed opportunity to illustrate the general- relationships. Given that all of the in- with the text to aid the reader. The ized structure of internal genitalia. cluded superfamilies are grasshopper- inclusion of the color plates at the rear Five paragraphs on p. 19 are devoted like in gross morphology (in contrast of the volume and their duplication in to a discussion of the phallic com- to the diminutive and highly derived black and white throughout the text plex, though there are no supporting tridactyloids and tetrigoids), the use adds over 90 pages to the total page illustrations. This is a shame as these of Acridomorpha as a name for this count. However, the author states structures are so crucial to the taxono- clade is both appropriate and useful. in the introduction to the book that my of Acridomorpha and the identifi- Regardless, the tridactyloids and tetri- this was done for economic reasons cation of genera and species. Indeed, goids are explicitly excluded from the to reduce production costs. While it the author states that, “being a com- taxa treated in the book, which covers may seem duplicative, there is some plex structure, the phallic complex only those belonging to a monophy- benefit to having black and white lends itself admirably to taxonomic letic Acridomorpha, and implies that versions of the habitus illustrations in use, and its extraction and preparation the author nevertheless accepts these line with the text descriptions for easy are among the most important manual relationships. reference. skills of the grasshopper taxonomist” Following a useful key to the In summary, the book is an ex- (p. 19). Therefore, the inclusion of superfamilies present in southern tremely useful taxonomic treatise some well-annotated illustrations of Central America, each superfamily on the Acridomorpha of Costa Rica phallic morphology at this point, prior is treated in the following sequence: and Panama and will undoubtedly be to the taxonomic treatments, would Eumastacoidea (beginning on p. 25 relevant for the foreseeable future as have been extremely useful. Illustra- and including Eumastacidae and a benchmark reference in Neotropi- tions of genitalia occur throughout the Episactidae); Proscopioidea (p. 47); cal orthopterology. The volume could taxonomic treatments, but are general- Pyrgomorphoidea (p. 53); and, finally, have been further improved by the ly not labeled. Thus, without a graphi- Acridoidea (beginning on p. 57 and inclusion of more detailed geographi- cal introduction to these structures including Romaleidae, Acrididae, and cal background; e.g. a discussion of and their relationships to one another, their various subfamilies). The treat- different habitat types found in the re- the illustrations will be difficult for ments are detailed, including diagno- gion along with vegetation maps, and less familiar or non-specialist readers ses and descriptions as well as notes perhaps a discussion of the important to interpret. on distribution and natural history. geological history of the region. It Following the glossary are the Also included here are very useful would also have been nice to see the taxonomic treatments, which form the field characteristics that will aid read- color plates integrated into the text, bulk of the volume. They follow a tra- ers in recognition of ditional arrangement, beginning with the various genera a definition of the suborder Caelifera in the field. There and a key to the superfamilies present is an entry for each in southern Central America. Inter- species with cita- estingly, the author actually does list tion to the original Pneumoroidea, Tanaoceroidea, and description and an Trigonopterygoidea here and men- explanation of ety- tions that their distribution lies outside mology as well as a of the focal area of his treatment. The diagnosis and brief author also criticizes the use of the description. In addi- name Acridomorpha. He states that, tion, every species because of “inherent ambiguity” the is illustrated. term “cannot be recommended, even Color plates are as a clade name” (p. 23). Here, I must included at the end disagree, as numerous studies have of the volume fol- A bunch of male Paramastax rosenbergi on a “spit wad” saliva and tis- sue put on a plant leaf to mimic bird droppings and attract butterflies. supported the monophyly of a clade lowing the refer- Quite a few spit wads attracted Paramastax. (Colombia: Risaralda comprising the superfamilies Acridoi- ences and species Dept. Montezuma Rainforest Reserve and Eco-Lodge, Parque Nacional dea, Eumastacoidea, Pneumoroidea, lists, but preceding Tatamá 5.23008° N x -76.08368° W, 1,400 meters elev. 30 May 2014. Pyrgomorphoidea, Tanaoceroidea, and the taxonomic index Photo credit: R.A. Behrstock) Volume 34 (3) / September 2014 13 METALEPTEA production costs notwithstanding. It grasshopper fauna based upon knowl- Rowell on the excellent achievement is, nonetheless, an invaluable compi- edge gleaned from the author’s many and recommend the book wholeheart- lation of data concerning the region’s years of experience. I congratulate Dr. edly to the Society’s membership. Locust and grasshopper outbreaks in Empangeni sugarcane, KwaZulu-Natal,
South Africa By ADRIAN BAM Stellenbosch University South Africa n the last six or seven years, two species are the biggest threat to species, Nomadacris septemfasciata there have been reports of Empangeni sugarcane due to their and Petamella prosternalis. The acridid outbreaks with increas- higher densities and large body size. results showed that Petamella pros- ing severity in Empangeni, All five species are univoltine (one ternalis had a significantly higher KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. life cycle per year), but two different feeding potential (% leaf damage) II In general, little is known about life cycle strategies were discovered: compared to Nomadacris septemfas- acridid outbreaks in sugarcane due to 3 species exhibit a winter egg dia- ciata even though, in terms of dry their sporadic nature. Therefore, in pause while 2 species exhibit a winter weight and body length, individuals my M.Sc. project, undertaken in col- adult reproductive diapause, an im- of this species are smaller. Feed- laboration with Stellenbosch Univer- portant finding considering the knowl- ing data were used to determine the sity and the South African Sugarcane edge intensive method of control voracity of these two species under Research Institute (SASRI), and which has been proposed. Population laboratory conditions. Petamella supervised by Dr. Pia Addison and surveys revealed a large difference prosternalis eats roughly 1.83 grams Prof. Des Conlong, I set out to iden- in species composition among farms of fresh sugarcane per day while tify morphologically and molecularly, (sugarcane sites) and among grassland Nomadacris septemfasciata eats all species associated with Empangeni sites. Nomadacris septemfasciata approximately 1.16 grams per day. sugarcane. Additional goals were to and Petamella prosternalis showed a These results were then compared to determine the ecology and population significant dynamics of the most important spe- preference cies and to provide baseline data for for sugar- the development of an integrated pest cane while management (IPM) plan against these species, crop pests. such as A year-long population survey was Cyrtacan- conducted on a number of affected thacris farms and adjacent grassland sites aeruginosa, to determine the life cycles, popu- Zonocerus lation density, and composition of elegans and this acridid complex on these farms. Orthochtha Surveys showed that this complex sp. seemed comprised five species:Nomadacris to prefer septemfasciata, Petamella proster- grassland nalis, Ornithacris cyanea, Cyrtacan- sites. thacris aeruginosa, and Cataloipus Feeding zuluensis. Observed damage was potential recorded throughout the year in order trials were to correlate with species densities and completed it was found that damage was closely on the two associated with two species, namely most eco- Petamella prosternalis and Nomadac- nomically Figure 1. Map of Acridid outbreak area, indicating the location of the 5 affected ris septemfasciata, meaning that these important farms
Volume 34 (3) / September 2014 14 METALEPTEA
Figure 2. Comparison of the damage rating index at three locations on the primary axis in relation to relative abundance of two species on the secondary axis. observed field damage data in order to exhibiting gregarious type coloura- from the field. The purpose of the gauge their accuracy and applicability tion. Eye stripe data showed that the ID keys was to provide a quick and within a field setting, which showed majority of adult specimens observed easy identification guide for growers, that although sugarcane field damage had seven eye stripes, an indication extension officers, and researchers is significantly correlated with the of gregarious individuals. Geomet- which would allow them to identify population fluctuations of both these ric morphometrics, a relatively new, specimens in the field. The adult ID species, it is more closely associated software-based technique, which has key was based on large and easily with Petamella prosternalis, result- not been used in phase polyphenism distinguishable morphological char- ing in a correlation coefficient of 0.43 studies before, was used as a means to acters, such as forewing length, hind while Nomadacris septemfasciata had accurately measure variations among tibia colour, hind wing colour, and a correlation coefficient of 0.25. populations of N. septemfasciata by general body colour of the specimen. Phase polyphenism in the red measuring the variation in forewing The only morphological characters locust, Nomadacris septemfasciata, shape according to allocated land- for hoppers which were fairly easy to was investigated using three methods, marks. The resulting shape variations distinguish were antennae and over- including traditional morphometrics were compared to traditional morpho- all body colour, therefore these traits (Elytra/Femur (E/F) ratio), hopper metrics in an attempt to relate the two colouration, and eye stripe data. The techniques, so that geometric morpho- E/F ratio indicated that the majority metrics can possibly be used as a tool of the Empangeni population sampled to study phase polyphenism in locusts is in the transiens and gregarious in the future. The results indicate that phase with a mean E/F ratio of 2.01 similarities in terms of location and and that they seem to be becom- gender exist between the two meth- ing more gregarious over time, with ods, however the exact same individu- populations in 2012 having a mean als should be used for both methods E/F ratio of 1.20 and, in 2013, a mean which will improve the accuracy of E/F ratio of 2.01. Hopper colouration comparisons. also indicates that populations are Identification (ID) keys were devel- generally showing gregarious ten- oped for these five species for both Figure 3. The red locust, Nomadacrtis septem- fasciata, a well-known crop and pasture pest dencies with the majority of hoppers life stages using specimens obtained of southern Africa Volume 34 (3) / September 2014 15 METALEPTEA were used to develop the hopper ID causing them to occur in this area, to controlling these acridid pests. key. such as optimal habitat conditions and Understanding the biology of the This study, for the first time, iden- sugarcane as a preferable host plant species enables practitioners to make tified the acridid complex causing being two factors, which are likely to more effective management decisions, damage to Empangeni sugarcane be having an influence. The findings which is clearly needed as the current and provided a broad summary of of this study provide the baseline data techniques being used have not solved the potential impact the complex has needed in order to develop a more the “grasshopper problem.” on the crop as well as what may be integrated and sustainable approach Editor’s Photo Picks
Ichthiacris (Ichthiacris) rehni Bolívar, 1905 (Pyrgomorphidae: Orthacridinae: Ichthiacridini) (left: male, right: female) Mexico: Baja California Sur: Near Ciudad Constitucion. August 1st. 2014. (Photo credit: Ricardo Mariño-Pérez)
Orthoptera in the News!
Sam Heads described a fossil tetrigid, Electrotettix attenboroughi, from the During the World Cup 2014 quarter-final between Brazil and Co- Dominican amber. The new species was named after Sir David Attenbor- lombia, a giant grasshopper (Tropidacris sp.) landed on Colombia’s ough and this received a lot of media attention. (Photo credit: Sam Heads) No. 10 James Rodriguez. (Photo credit: AP)
Volume 34 (3) / September 2014 16 METALEPTEA Scarce Songs By TIM GARDINER Environment Agency United Kingdom n a short trip to the heathland and mire val- leys of the New Forest in southern England I was fortunate enough OO to hear the stridulation of four scarce orthopterans on a visit to Pig Bush near Beaulieu. I visited the valley mire on 21st July 2014 in sunny, hot weather and immediately heard the distinctive stridulation of the UK Red Data Book species, the large marsh grasshopper, Stethophyma grossum, and the Nationally Scarce bog bush-cricket, Metrioptera bra- chyptera, on the mire. From a drier area the wheeling stridulation of the Nationally Scarce woodland grass- hopper, Omocestus rufipes, was heard and individuals were caught to con- firm the identification; the white palps Nationally Scarce bog bush-cricket, Metrioptera brachyptera and red abdomen being key features when each stridulation was heard to distinguish it from the more wide- bog bush-cricket (for example, the repetitive beeps spread common green grasshopper, chuff chuff chuff – of a reversing vehicle provided an Omocestus viridulus. In the distance the call of an unseen interesting contrast to the large marsh a chorus of wood crickets, Nemobius bog bush-cricket sylvestris, (also Nationally Scarce) grasshopper song). The haiku do not was heard in the late afternoon sun- follow the traditional 5-7-5 syllable pattern but take the accepted free- shine, completing the survey of a key large marsh grasshopper form approach with a cutting word site for scarce Orthoptera in the UK. from mire myrtle (followed by a dash) to note the break A haiku poem has been written to pop pop pop – in the poem. capture the essence of the experience a vehicle reverses
woodland grasshopper a free-wheeling bicycle in the grass – the hopper’s deceit
wood cricket wood crickets purr – the ventriloquists of a lonely glade
Mire valleys of the New Forest in southern England
Volume 34 (3) / September 2014 17 METALEPTEA the world as well as OS grant reports publications Editorial from several students. I would like • Wish lists By HOJUN SONG to thank all those who have contrib- • Photography techniques Editor, Metaleptea uted to this issue. I would also like to • Collecting techniques thank our associate editor, Derek A. • Personal stories hen summer Woller, for his continued assistance in began, I had the editorial process. To be published in Metaleptea, several goals to Metaleptea is an excellent outlet please send articles, photographs, or accomplish, such to communicate to our members anything related to orthopteroid in- as finishing up around the world. There is no limit on sects to [email protected] with a subject WW several overdue what we can publish: articles, sto- line starting with [Metaleptea]. As manuscripts and generating tons of ries, photos, artwork, etc. However, for the format, a MS Word document data for ongoing research. Instead, specifically, I would like to solicit the is preferred and images should be in my summer was spent on a lot of following types of contributions for JPEG or TIFF format with a resolu- travels, both planned and unplanned, all future issues: tion of at least 144 DPI. The next as well as countless hours at my desk, • Collecting travelogues issue of Metaleptea will be published responding to emails and trying to fig- • Museum visit travelogues in January, 2015, so please send me ure out a bunch of computer programs • Interesting observations content promptly. I look forward to that were poorly made. And the goals • Highlights of your peer-reviewed hearing from you soon! I set out to acheive, well, let’s just say I did not manage to finish even half of them... Officers of the Orthopterists’ Society However, I did take a collecting expedition to the Dominican Repub- President: Michael Samways, Department of Conservation Ecology lic, which was such a refreshing trip. & Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, South Africa. The purpose of this trip was to mainly [email protected] collect the elusive pyrgomorph genus President-Elect: Alexandre Latchininsky, Department of Ecosystem Science Jaragua for the dissertation research and Management, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA. of my Ph.D. student Ricardo Mariño- [email protected] Pérez. There are several Schistocerca Executive Director: David Hunter, Locust and Grasshopper Control, species known from DR, which was 125 William Webb Drive, McKellar ACT 2617 Australia. another reason for the trip. This [email protected] was my first time to DR, and I was Treasurer: Pamm Mihm, 2417 Fields South Drive, Champaign, IL 61822 blown away by its diversity in terms USA. [email protected]. of various habitats and fauna. We Managing Editor JOR: Sam Heads, Illinois Natural History Survey, (Ricardo and myself) were accompa- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA. nied by a local grasshopper expert, [email protected] Brigido Hierro, who works with the Editorial Assistant JOR: Nancy Morris, Department of Biology, University country’s Ministry of Environment. of Toronto at Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada. During our two-week trip, we drove [email protected] over 2,000 km and collected from Manager Orthopterists’ Society Website: Piotr Naskrecki, Museum of several national parks, and we ended Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA. up with hundreds of valuable speci- [email protected] mens. We did manage to collect the Associate Manager OS Website: David C.F. Rentz, 19 Butler Dr., Kuranda, elusive Jaragua, although they were Queensland, Australia. [email protected] nymphs. It was made clear to me that Editor Metaleptea: Hojun Song, Department of Biology, University of the caeliferan fauna of DR, as well as Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA. [email protected] other parts of the Caribbeans, cer- Associate Editor Metaleptea: Derek A. Woller, Department of Biology, tainly deserve a lot of attention, and University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA. [email protected] I cannot wait to go back there in the Orthoptera Species File Officer: María Marta Cigliano, División near future. Entomología, Museo de La Plata, Universidad Nacional de la Plata, As usual, this issue is full of in- La Plata, Argentina. [email protected] teresting articles. We have several The Ted Cohn Research Fund Manager: Michel Lecoq, CIRAD, France. interesting reports from many parts of [email protected] Volume 34 (3) / September 2014 18