Screening sixteen pasture species for tolerance to attack by black field cricket (Teleogryllus commodus)

Abstract

Abstract Black field cricket, Teleogryllus commodus (Walker) (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) were caged at 3 densities over pots containing one of 16 pasture species. Damage to the 5-month-old plants was assessed by measuring loss of live plant herbage and litter after 10–11 days. Yorkshire fog, browntop, kikuyu grass, ‘Grasslands Ruanui’ ryegrass, and timothy suffered severe defoliation and damage. ‘Grasslands Nui’ ryegrass, ‘Grasslands Maru’ phalaris, cocksfoot, ‘Grasslands Matua’ prairie grass, ‘Grasslands Roa’ tall fescue, ‘Grasslands Huia’ white clover, ‘Grasslands Pawera’ red clover, ‘Tallarook’ subterranean clover, and (possibly) ‘Wairau’ lucerne showed some tolerance to cricket attack and were moderately damaged. High cricket mortality occurred with ‘Grasslands Maku’ lotus and ‘Grasslands Raki’ paspalum which were consumed in small amounts and appeared resistant to cricket attack.