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EFFECT OF CONSUMPTION OF DIFFERENT HOSTS ON THE BODY WEIGHT OF SURFACE , CHROTOGONUS TRACHYPTERUS LANCHARD ( ) TAJWER SULTANA SYED, MOHAN LAL, GHULAM HUSSAIN ABRO and SAIMA SIDDIQUI Department of Entomology, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Sindh – Pakistan. E-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT A laboratory study was carried out during 2006 at the department of Entomology, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Pakistan to investigate the effects of consumption of different hosts on body weight of surface grasshopper, Chrotogonus trachypterus. Different host plants provided for the experiment were: okra, Abelmoschus esculentus L.; cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L.; china rose, Hibiscus rosassinensis L.; Akk, Calotropis procera AitR.Br and sunflower, Helianthsu annuus L. The highest average food consumption was recorded when C. trachypterus fed on sunflower (2.20 g), followed by okra (1.77 g) and cotton (1.73 g), the least consumption of food was recorded on china rose. The leaf area consumption (cm2) on different host plants varied significantly on different host plants. The highest body weight attained was on sunflower (0.1453 g) followed by cotton (0.1330) and okra (0.1265) respectively. Difference was also recorded on the longevity of C. trachypterus when fed on different host plants. Highest longevity was 116.8±4.515 days recorded on china rose and shortest on okra (109.6±3.682) days. Key Words: Cotton, sunflower, china rose, chrotogonus trachypterus, consumption Citation: Syed, T. S., M. Lal, G. H. Abro and S. Siddiqui. 2011. Effect of consumption of different hosts on the body weight of surface grasshopper, chrotogonus trachypterus Lanchard (orthoptera pyrgomorphidae). Sarhad J. Agric. 27(2): 245-249

INTRODUCTION Surface grasshopper, Chrotogonus trachypterus (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae) is a multivorous and terricolous species, one of the common grasshopper species occurring in this region. Surface grasshopper adult is stout, mud-like in colour; polyphagous, feeding on foliage and tender shoots. They scatter on emergence and feed on almost any green vegetation, are injurious to germinating crops and may inflict severe damage to cotton. Adults and all hopper stages are found throughout the year but are less active during winter season (Gupta, 1999 and Anonymous, 2000). Feeding variations in C. trachypterus are associated with weather, gravitational forces, and complexities of food resources, habitat selection and differences in the food niche, non-synchronous lifecycle, and seasonal change in preference, sexual dimorphism, developmental polymorphism, conditioning, thirst, hunger, predation, parasitism and competition. It has been reported that berseem, cotton, mustard, lucerne, potato and tomato were consumed readily and were the highly preferred food plants by surface grasshopper (Asad et al. 2001). Akhtar (1971) reported that consumption of jute, Corchorus capsularis and berseem, Trifolium alexandrinum leaves by surface grasshopper Chrotogonus trachypterus were the highest, being 68.67 and 67.00 % respectively, followed by cotton, Gossypium hirsutum and sarson, Brassica campestris, with 60.67 and 45.00 % consumption, respectively. Jotwani and Butani (1978) reported Chrotogonus trachypterus feeding on pearl millet, berseem and cotton and inflicting considerable damage to the crops. Duranton and Launois (1979) discussed dietary variations of Chrotogonus trachypterus and reported that a greater number of allied species feed on wild plants. Ayyanna et al. (1978) mentioned that Chrotogonus trachypterus, Chrotogonus oxypterus and Atractomorpha crenulata were found as pests on sunflower. C. oxypterus killed young plants, soon after emergence, but the pest is only of minor importance. A. crenulata nymphs and adults feed on leaves, making irregular holes, and cause considerable damage. Launois and Launois (1976) studied feeding preferences of caged adults of when offered the choice of leaves of four plants (ground nut, Arachis hypogaea, bean, Vigna ungiculata millet, Pennisetum americanum and sorghum, Sorghum bicolor) and concluded that feeding preference tests could not accurately predict the distribution of grasshoppers in relation to different crops, which must involve other environmental factors. T.S. Syed, et al. Effect of consumption of hosts on the body weight of surface grasshopper … 246

Surface grasshopper, Chrotogonus trachypterus is a common pest that feeds on green vegetation and yet its feeding preference and subsequent effects on its body weight has not been studied extensively. Present studies were carried out to investigate the effect of different plants on food consumption and the body weight of C. trachypterus under laboratory conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present research investigations were conducted under laboratory conditions. The observations were taken to study the effects of food consumption of different hosts on the body weight of surface grasshopper, Chrotogonus trachypterus during 2006 at the Department of Entomology, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Pakistan. A large number of nymphs and adults were collected from various fields of cotton, sugarcane and okra crops. The collection of was made from 9:00 to 12:00 noon with the help of collecting net and kept in rearing cage measuring 112x82x82 cm. Cotton leaves were provided for feeding until adult stage. Newly emerged adult male and female were paired in separate cage measuring 30x30x45cm for mating and oviposition. A glass beaker measuring (5x9 cm) containing moist soil was provided for oviposition. Ten pairs were kept for further observations. The eggs laid were kept in petridishes lined with moist filter paper for hatching. Newly hatched nymphs were separated and shifted into glass jars 15x5 cm individually. Different host plants provided for the experiment were: okra, Abelmoschus esculentus L.; Cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L.; China rose, Hibiscus rosassinensis L.; Akk, Calotropis procera AitR. Br and Sunflower, Helianthus annuus L. The food plant leaf, attached to a twig held in vial containing water for maintaining freshness of leaf was provided as food. Each glass jar was covered with muslin cloth and banded with rubber. The leaves offered as food were changed after every 24 hours and new leaves were provided. After 24 hours the amount of food (leaf tissue area) eaten, were collected and measured to calculate the amount of leaf eaten/ consumed by Chrotogonus trachypterus. A graph paper was cut to the size of leaf disc and weighed. Graph paper (6.45 sq cm) was weighed and with the help of this weight, the weight of graph paper disc was calculated. Similarly, the remaining portion of leaf discs left after by Chrotogonus trachypterus were measured on graph paper and cut accordingly. The weight of remaining portion of graph paper was deducted from the weight of the original and in this way the area of disc was calculated to get the consumed area of leaf disc. The newly hatched nymphs were weighed on electrical balance on weekly basis and different instars were noted on different foods offered. At the end of the experiment, the Chrotogonus trachypterus were weighed on electrical balance to analyse the consumption of different food plants. After final moult, adult grass hoppers were maintained on their respective food plants till death to determine the effect of host plant on adult longevity. Each experiment was replicated ten times and the data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis and significance was worked out to discriminate the deviation of treatment means. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Food Consumption The data in Table I indicated that surface grasshopper, Chrotogonus trachypterus showed more preference for eating sunflower leaves and the average food consumption was 2.20g, while the insect showed next preference to consume okra and cotton leaves where average food consumption was 1.77 and 1.73 g, respectively. The surface grasshopper consumed 1.62 g of akk plant leaves and the China rose was the plant that was consumed minimally (0.53 g) by the insect during whole the life span. The sunflower plant was significantly (P<0.05) more preferred to be consumed by the grasshopper than other food plants, China rose was the least preferred food plant. There was a highly significant (P<0.01) correlation (r = 0.826) between leaf area eaten cm2, and food consumption (gm) by C. trachypterus in present study. Present results are partially supported by Akhtar (1971) who observed surface grasshopper feeding on cotton, Ayyanna et al. (1978), reported feeding on sunflower, whereas Sreenivasulu et al. (1996) have reported surface grasshoppers feeding on Calotropis sp. The choice of plants by the acridids seems to reveal that it may be based on the absence of feeding detergents or their presence in smaller amounts in the host plants. For instance O. nitidula totally rejected all forbes, perhaps due to the presence of one or more compound deterrent to the graminivore (Bernays and Chapman 1977). Abdel (2001) mentioned that the grasshopper was found all the year round. The consumption index differed significantly between groups fed on different diets. Sanjayan and Murugan (1987) reported that the early nymphal stages showed the highest growth rate on all the host plant plants. The approximate digestibility computed indicated all the host plants Sarhad J. Agric. Vol.27, No.2, 2011 247

provided were highly digested by the acridids. The efficiency of conversion of the ingested and digested food was significantly high in the less preferred host thereby enabling the insect to complete its development and reproduce when fed on the lesser preferred hosts. Leaf Area Consumption (cm2) The leaf area consumption of different plants offered to surface grasshopper, (Chrotogonus trachypterus) under laboratory conditions (Table I) indicated significant variation (P<0.05) showing preference level of the insect for its food plants. On an average, 78.9 cm2 leaf area of sunflower plant was consumed, was maximum among the plants offered for feeding to the insect, while okra leaves and cotton leaves were at second and third preferences, with leaf area consumption of 61.55 and 58.1 cm2, respectively. Akk plant leaves were found less preferred to surface grasshopper, where it consumed 36.90 cm2 leaf area, while the lowest leaf area consumption (33.1 cm2) was observed in case of China rose plant. Ayyanna et al. (1978) have also reported partially similar results to the present studies, who found more preference of surface grass hopper in feeding sunflower leaves and Sreenivasulu et al. (1996) reported little preference of surface grass hoppers on Calotropis sp. Furthermore, Bhambhro (2003) observed great preference for cotton in northern Sindh by surface grass hoppers and reported great damage of the cotton crop. Some host are rejected because of the presence of the chemicals deterrent to feeding and such deterrent chemicals seem to play an important role in the feeding behavior of acridids. Further some secondary compounds that are deterrent for Locusta are ineffective for Schistocerca and some which are deterrent at high concentration stimulate feeding at lower concentrations (Bernays and Chapman, 1978). Acridids are generally observed to take larger meal on lush grass with high water content (Bernays and Chapman, 1977). Sanjayan and Murgun (1987) reported that the quantity of food utilized by the two acridids Aiolopus thalassinus (Fabricius) and Gesonula punctifrons (Stal) were studied varied with the host plant. The food ingested by A.thalassinus was greatest on Cyperus rotundus, followed by Panicum maximum, Cynadon dactylon and Coix. lachrymal, the food ingested by G. punctifrons was highest on Eichhornia .crassipes in comparison to Musca. paradisiacal and Colocasia sp. The weight gained by the insect as a result of feeding on a particular host plant would give a measure of the nutritive value of the host plant. Syed (1992) reported that the maximum amount of food ingested depended upon many factors such as acceptability of food, quality of food and so on. Body Weight (g) Body weight of Chrotogonus trachypterus was recorded when the insect was fed on different plant leaves (Table I). The data show that best preference of the insect as food were sunflower leaves where highest body weight (0.1453 g) was recorded, while cotton leaves seemed to have next best preference where mean insect body weight was 0.1330 g. The Chrotogonus trachypterus fed on okra leaves and Akk plant leaves had body weights of 0.1265 g and 0.1187 g, respectively. However, the least preference was observed China rose where the insect body weight was lowest 0.1164 g. It is obvious from the study that C. trachypterus used sunflower leaves as food preferably, followed by cotton and okra leaves. In present study the highest preference of Chrotogonus trachypterus as food was sunflower leaves where highest body weight was recorded, while cotton leaves seemed to have next best preference. The C. trachypterus fed on okra leaves and Akk plant leaves had body weights of 0.1265 and 1187g, respectively. However, the least preference was observed for China rose. It is obvious from the study that C. trachypterus used sunflower leaves as preferred food, followed by cotton and okra leaves. There was a highly significant correlation (r = 0.8634; DF= 8; p< 0.01) between food consumption and C. trachypterus body weight in present study. Similar results have also been reported by Rahman (1999) who found that the body weights were greater in adults as compared to initial stage grasshoppers, probably because of their more movement and consequent digestibility of feed, while the adults became healthier and their movement restricted. Sanjayan and Murgan (1987) reported that the maximum weight of food ingested by A. thalassinus was from C. rotundus (248.10mg/) in comparison to the other hosts. G. punctifrons ingested more of E. crassipes (188.0mg/g followed by M. paradisiacal (170.0mg/g) and Solocasia sp (121.5mg/g). The weight gained was also the highest on the most preferred host. Sanjayan and Murgan (1987) reported that the interaction between insects and plants is a complex process involving analysis of the responses of insect to plants as well as those plant characteristics which evoke these responses. The weight gained by the two acridids was also the highest the most preferred host indicating that for A. thalassinus and G. punctifrons, C. rotundus and E. crassipes respectively had a high nutritive value. T.S. Syed, et al. Effect of consumption of hosts on the body weight of surface grasshopper … 248

Adult Longevity Period (days) The data on adult longevity (Table I) of C. trachypterus offered different host plants as food show that insect those fed on China rose survived relatively longer (116.8±4.375 days), while those fed on Akk plants survived for 114.6±4.261 days. The C. trachypterus fed on sunflower leaves had 112.4±4.643 days longevity and those fed on cotton as food survived for 110.6±4.874 days. However, the insects when given okra plant leaves as their food survived for lowest period (109.6±3.682 days). Food preference in terms of the rate of development on various host plants indicated that faster development was recorded when reared on the preferred host (Sanjayan and Anathakrishan, 1987). Table-I Total food consumption (g), leaf area consumed (cm2), Body weight (g) and Adult longevity (days) of Chrotogonus trachypterus on different host plants under laboratory conditions Leaf area Adult longevity Host plants Food consumed (g) Body weight (g) consumed(cm2) (days)Ns Okra 1.77 b 61.55 0.1265 109.6±3.682 Cotton 1.73 b 58.06 0.1330 110.6±4.874 China rose 0.53 c 33.10 0.1164 116.8±4.375 Akk 1.62 b 36.90 0.1187 114.6±4.261 Sunflower 2.20 a 78.90 0.1453 112.4±4.643 Figures followed by same letters are not significantly (P<0.05) different from each other by LSD test. Ns=non-significant The C. trachypterus fed on china rose leaves had greater longevity compared with other host plants. However, the insects when given okra plant leaves as their food survived for lowest period. Similar results have also been reported by Bughio (1981), who reported that the grasshopper was available in one or the other stage and was almost always active throughout the year at Tandojam. After an insect has located its host plant and has begun to feed, the two variables that interact are the nutritional requirements of the insect in terms of the qualitative and quantitative aspects and the digestibility and nutritive quality of the host plant (House 1969). The digestibility and nutritive qualities of plants vary with insect as also the nutritive requirements of insects. CONCLUSION From the present investigation, the following conclusions were drawn; the highest average food consumption was recorded when Chrotogonus trachypterus fed on sunflower (2.20 gm), followed by okra (1.77 gm) and cotton (1.73 gm). The least consumption of food was recorded on China rose. The leaf area consumption on different host plants varied significantly. The highest leaf area consumption was recorded on sunflower (78.90 cms) and the lowest on china rose (33.10 cms). The body weight of Chrotogonus trachypterus taken on different host plants at weekly interval revealed that the highest body weight was recorded on sunflower (0.1453 gm), lowest was on cotton (0.1330gm). There was no significant difference on the longevity of Chrotogonus trachypterus when fed on different host plants. Highest longevity period (116.8±4.375) was recorded on China rose and shortest on okra (109.6±3.682 days). REFERENCE Abdel Rahman, K.M. 2001. Food consumption and utilisation of the Grasshopper Chrotogonus Lugubris Blanchard (Orthoptera, Acridoidea, Pyrgomorphidae) and its effect on the egg deposition, J. Central Europ. Agric.2 (3- 4): 234-239. Akhtar, M. 1971. Laboratory feeding tests with Chrotogonus trachypterus (Blanchard) (Orthoptera, Acrididae). Pak. J. Zool. (3): 163-167. Anonymous. 2000. Introduction/characteristics of Orthoptera/ illustrated key species descriptions. Fauna malesiana Guide to the Pest Orthoptera of the Indo-Malayan Region. Published in Kalshoven’s Monumental, The Pests of Crops in Indonesia. pp. 456-466. Asad, R., M.S. Awan, G.H. Abro and A.A. Shah. 2001. Studies on feeding, copulation, oviposition and defence behaviour of Chrotogonus trachypterus (blanch) Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae) under laboratory conditions. Pak. J. Zool. 33 (2): 85-91. Ayyanna, T., G.V. Subbaratnam, and E. Dharmaraju. 1978. Pest complex on sunflower, Helianthus annuus Lin. in Andhra Paradesh. Indian J. Entomol (40): 353-356. Sarhad J. Agric. Vol.27, No.2, 2011 249

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