Abstract:
The egg-pods of three grasshopper species i.e., Hieroglyphus perpolita (Uvarov), H. oryzivorus Carl and H. nigrorepletus 1. Bolivar were studied under laboratory conditions during 2005-2006 from Pakistan. Significant differences were found in the sizes of the pods and number, distribution pattern and weight of eggs in the pods. The pods are sub-cylindrical and slightly curved. The weight (3.64:E0.60g) and width (22.82±2.21 min) of egg pods of H. perpolita is significantly greater than that of pods of H. oryzivorus (1.30±0.03 g) and H. nigrorepletus(0.185±0.003 g) whereas pods length of H. oryzivorus (34.68-10.84 mm) is significantly greater than that of L. perpolita (27.78±0.78 mm) and H. nigrorepletus (18.38±1.15 mm). Eggs cylindrically elongated, large, slightly bent in the middle and rounded at ends. The length (6.37±0.06 mm) and weight (0.128±0.01 mm) of eggs of H. perpolita is significantly greater than that of H. oryzivorus(5.4±0.1 mg and 4.52±0.07 mm, respectively) and H. nigrorepletus (5±0.06 mg and 4.55±0.0063 mm, respectively). Likewise there was significant difference between the weight of dry eggs and fresh laid eggs of H. perpolita. The egg-pod is full of eggs without any empty space. There are more eggs at the base and their number decreased towards the top. The major hatching occurr within few weeks i.e., 57.43 to 100% in H. perpolitafrom June to August but mostly in the month of June, 76.85% to 100% in H. oryzivorus from July to September but mostly in August, and 69.09% in H. nigrorepletus from July to August, mostly in mid July then hatching stopped.
Page(s):
143-148
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Pakistan Journal of Zoology, Volume: 41, Issue: 2, Year: 2009