Ups and Downs of the Italian Locust (Calliptamus italicus L.) Populations in the Siberian Steppes: On the Horns of Dilemmas

Michael G Sergeev

doi:10.3390/agronomy11040746

Abstract

The Italian locust is a common species and one of the most important pest in the steppes, semi-deserts, and deserts of Central and Southwestern Asia and also in the Mediterranean Region. The aim of this paper is to discuss some problems arising from studies of eco-geographical distribution and long-term dynamics of this species, especially in the southern part of West Siberia, and their consequences for management of pest species and rare forms. Peculiarities of the Italian locust populations’ distribution and long-term dynamics are discussed for the north-eastern part of the species range (south-eastern West Siberian Plain, North-East and, partly, East Kazakhstan). Notable differences between local populations are revealed. Some issues arising from results of insecticide experimental treatments (mainly effectiveness of barrier applications with different compounds in variable environment) and ecological association between the Italian locust and rare Orthoptera are also discussed. Some suggestions as to requirements for improved monitoring, supervision, control, and forecasting of the Italian locust populations’ distribution and dynamics are also provided.

Highlights

The Italian locust (Calliptamus italicus (Linnaeus, 1758)) is a common and widely distributed species and the most important acridid pest in the steppes and semi-deserts of Eurasia, from Ukraine to the southern part of West Siberia, East Kazakhstan, and NorthWest China
The aim of this paper is to discuss some problems arising from studies of longterm dynamics of the Italian locust populations, especially in the southern part of West Siberia, and their consequences for population management of both possible pest and rare orthopteran species
A comparative analysis of three gradient transects crossing the eastern part of the Italian locust range from the forest-steppes of West Siberian Plain to Central Asia: (1) mainly along the 77–79th meridians east [4,9,12]; (2) along the 80th meridian east (Figure 4B), and (3) along the Irtysh River (Figure 4A)—allowed to reveal the general patterns of the species populations’ distribution in the periods between outbreaks

Summary

Introduction

The Italian locust (Calliptamus italicus (Linnaeus, 1758)) is a common and widely distributed species and the most important acridid pest in the steppes and semi-deserts of Eurasia, from Ukraine to the southern part of West Siberia, East Kazakhstan, and NorthWest China. The Italian locust is an intermediate form between typical gregarious and solitarious acridid species [1,3,4]. The dense bands and swarms are common; their dispersal rates are usually limited. Both hopper bands and swarms can migrate over comparatively small distances, usually up to several hundred meters (rarely up to several kilometers) for bands and up to 100–200 km (rarely up to 750–800 km) for swarms [5,6,7]. Gregarious nymphs of the Italian locust are usually characterized by dominance of dark colors (brown, grey, and black) [5,9]

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