Grasshopper Species Research Articles

Trophic transfer of heavy metals across a food chain in a wastewater-irrigated agroecosystem.

Wastewater irrigation is often practiced in arid regions, which can increase the chance of heavy metals contaminating the agricultural system. This contamination poses risks to both the environment and human health. This research looked into how cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) move through a food chain involving soil, plants, and arthropods. The study was conducted in El-Gabal El-Asfar, Egypt, comparing treated and untreated wastewater irrigation areas. Six soil-irrigated sites and one reference site were sampled for soil, alfalfa (Medicago sativa), two grasshopper species (Aiolopus thalassinus and Calephorus compressicornis), and a wolf spider (Hogna ferox). The samples were analyzed for their heavy metal content. Metal concentrations in all components of the wastewater irrigated system were significantly higher compared to the reference site. The wolf spider and the soil contained the highest levels of Cd, Pb, and Cu, while the greatest concentrations of Zn were found in the spider and grasshoppers. Despite limited transfer from soil to plant, trace elements biomagnified within the terrestrial food chain, specifically from grasshoppers to wolf spiders. The correlation analysis of metal levels between soils, plants, and arthropods in the present study reflects its transfer across the trophic levels. It suggests that dietary intake is the main source of metal accumulation in arthropods. The present study, therefore, quite clearly indicated the possibility of heavy metal biomagnification in terrestrial food chains of wastewater-irrigated agroecosystems. Continuous monitoring and management of such systems are advocated to avoid environmental and public health risks.

The grasshopper arcyptera (Pararcyptera) meridionalis ikonnikov (Insecta, orthoptera) as a possible agricultural pest in temperate Asia

The goal of the article is to estimate possible changes of the distribution of Arcyptera meridionalis in the contemporary and potential future climatic conditions. The data were collected during field trips. Two packages to produce the species distribution models, namely MaxEnt and ellipsenm, were used. The generated models predict that the status of A. meridionalis as the important pest will not change significantly in the nearest future, however, in the middle of this century, its distribution patterns will become more complicated. The areas those will be the most suitable for the species will remain mainly in the western and central parts of its range. The harmful activity of A. meridionalis can be especially important due to its early hatching, because hoppers may damage and destroy shoots with first leaves and tillers. The models generated for A. meridionalis look like quite different from the models for other steppe acridids. On the contrary, some resemblance between forecasts for two harmful, but quite different grasshopper species, namely Siberian-Mongolian A. meridionalis and East-Mediterranean A. labiata, are revealed. The models for both species demonstrate some possible significant depletion of the territories with suitable conditions for each one in the second half of the 21st century.

Effects of Environmental Factors on the Diversity of Grasshopper Communities along Altitude Gradients in Xizang, China.

To determine the grasshopper species composition, altitudinal distribution patterns, and their main drivers, we conducted a study in Xizang using 33 sample plots ranging from 600 to 4100 m. Grasshoppers were collected from August to October during 2020-2022 using sweep nets. A total of 1159 grasshoppers from six families, 28 genera, and 44 species were identified, with Omocestus cuonaensis and Aserratus eminifrontus as the dominant species, comprising 30.03% and 10.26% of total grasshoppers, respectively. The results showed that species richness and the Margalef richness index of grasshopper communities decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing altitude, peaking at 1100-1600 m and lowest values at 2600-3100 m. Similarly, the Shannon-Wiener index and Simpson dominance index also decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with an increase in altitude, showing the highest and lowest values at 600-1100 m and 3100-3600 m, respectively. The Jaccard similarity coefficients among grasshopper communities varied from 0 to 0.40 across altitudinal gradients, indicating different degrees of dissimilarity. The results of Pearson correlation analyses showed that the Shannon-Wiener index, species richness, Margalef richness index, and Simpson dominance index of grasshopper communities were significantly negatively correlated with the temperature factors and soil pH, but they were significantly positively correlated with the moisture factors. Hierarchical partitioning identified annual mean temperature-daily difference, precipitation in the coldest season, and driest month precipitation as the primary factors explaining variance in grasshopper community diversity in Xizang. These findings provided greater insights into the mechanisms underlying insect community structure, distribution patterns, and diversity in Xizang ecosystems, including implications for the effects of global warming on insect communities.

Grasshoppers do not flee from their alarmed predators but from non-alarmed ones.

Alarm calls produced by basal prey have a well-known informative value. In multi-predator communities, mesopredators, when faced with top predators, may emit alarm calls that could inform basal prey about their lowered predation risk. To test this unexplored possibility, we conducted one field and one mesocosm experiment in which we simulated alarm and non-alarm calls from little owls (Athene noctua) as mesopredators and measured their effects on grasshoppers as prey of little owls but not of top predators. In the field experiment, we found that grasshopper species were significantly more abundant in patches where we simulated either the presence of scared little owls (alarm treatment) or no owls (control treatment) compared to patches where the presence of non-scared little owls (non-alarm treatment) was simulated. In the mesocosm experiment, locusts (Locusta migratoria) moved significantly more to exposed areas when we simulated the presence of scared little owls (alarm treatment) or of a granivorous bird (control treatment), while they moved to sheltered areas when we simulated the presence of non-scared owls (non-alarm treatment). These results show that prey could cue on predators' calls to assess their predation risk and make decisions, revealing unprecedented potential ecological consequences of alarm calls in invertebrate communities.

The Fast Evolution of the Stenobothrini Grasshoppers (Orthoptera, Acrididae, and Gomphocerinae) Revealed by an Analysis of the Control Region of mtDNA, with an Emphasis on the Stenobothrus eurasius Group.

The two cryptic grasshopper species of the genus Stenobothrus, S. eurasius and S. hyalosuperficies, demonstrate different acoustic behavior despite a strong similarity in morphology. A hybridization between these species is possible in the contact zone; however, there are little molecular data about the relationships of these species. The analysis of the mtDNA control region (CR) reveals that haplotypes of S. hyalosuperficies have more in common with the more distant Stenobothrus species than with the closely related S. eurasius. In the contact zone, S. eurasius has mt-haplotypes shared with S. hyalosuperficies, which might indicate an introgression of mtDNA from S. hyalosuperficies to the S. eurasius gene pool. We also analyze the structure and evolutionary rate of the mtDNA CR for the Stenobothrus genus and estimate the time of divergence of the species within the genus. The phylogenetic tree of the tribe Stenobothrini reconstructed with either the CR or COI gave the same four groups. The phylogenetic tree of the Stenobothrus genus has a star-like topology with each mtDNA haplotype found in any analyzed species, except S. eurasius, which forms a separate branch. The maximum degree of incomplete lineage sorting can demonstrate either ancestral polymorphism or introgression.

Metagenome-assembled genome sequence of Spiroplasma phoeniceum, assembled from the hindgut of Locusta migratoria, a migration grasshopper species.

Spiroplasma phoeniceum is a plant pathogen and a mesophilic microaerophile. Here, we report the metagenome-assembled genome (MAG) sequence of S. phoeniceum binned from hindgut contents of the wild-type male Locusta migratoria, a grasshopper species. The MAG sequence comprises 1,059,205 bp in 91 contigs with a 26.3% of GC content.

Diversity and distribution of grasshopper species in Kannur district, Kerala: A comprehensive survey

Diversity and distribution of grasshopper species in Kannur district, Kerala: A comprehensive survey

Combining the Optimized Maximum Entropy Model to Detect Key Factors in the Occurrence of Oedaleus decorus asiaticus in the Typical Grasslands of Central and Eastern Inner Mongolia.

Grasshoppers pose a significant threat to both natural grassland vegetation and crops. Therefore, comprehending the relationship between environmental factors and grasshopper occurrence is of paramount importance. This study integrated machine learning models (Maxent) using the kuenm package to screen MaxEnt models for grasshopper species selection, while simultaneously fitting remote sensing data of major grasshopper breeding areas in Inner Mongolia, China. It investigated the spatial distribution and key factors influencing the occurrence of typical grasshopper species in grassland ecosystems. The modelling results indicate that a typical steppe has a larger suitable area. The soil type, above biomass, altitude, and temperature, predominantly determine the grasshopper occurrence in typical steppes. This study explicitly delineates the disparate impacts of key environmental factors (meteorology, vegetation, soil, and topography) on grasshopper occurrence in typical steppes. Furthermore, it provides a methodology to guide early warning and precautions for grasshopper pest prevention. The findings of this study will be instrumental in formulating future management measures to guarantee grass ecological environment security and the sustainable development of grassland.

Food plant odor perception in three sympatric alpine grasshopper species (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Catantopinae) in Aotearoa New Zealand

The alpine grasshoppers Sigaus nivalis, Sigaus australis and Sigaus nitidus are sympatric in the central mountains of South Island, Aotearoa New Zealand. These grasshoppers feed on a range of alpine plants but show preference towards dicots over monocots. Because herbivorous insects often use smell and taste to locate and recognize food plants it was expected that these grasshoppers would show sensitivity to their favorite foods and potential sensitivity to nonhost plants. Here, we determined feeding preference in captivity allowing each of these three sympatric grasshoppers the same choice of six native alpine plant species. We analyzed the chemical compositions of the plants used in these experiments using gas-chromatograph coupled with mass-spectrometry (GC-MS) and then recorded olfactory responses in the grasshoppers to plant-derived smells (with synthetic compounds) using electroantennogram (EAG). The grasshoppers were able to distinguish between the potential food plants and ate the shrub Coriaria sarmentosa but not the grass Chionochloa pallens, however, the chemicals we detected in the six plant species were very similar. High sensitivity to fatty acid derived aldehydes (decanal, (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal, hexanal) and a 6-carbon alcohol ((Z)-2-hexen-1-ol) compared to terpenoids (α-phellandrene, β-myrcene, β-ocimene, eucalyptol, (S)-(-)-limonene, (1S)-(-)-α-pinene) or an aromatic compound (2-phenylethanol) was recorded in the antennae of all three grasshopper species and no species- or sex-specific sensitivity to particular compounds was observed. As aldehydes and alcohols are emitted upon plant damage, it is possible that these generalist grasshoppers are sensitive to the smells of damaged plants rather than species-specific plant smells.

Storozhenkotettix, a new genus of Trusmaditetrigini (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) from Mindanao, with notes on Bolivaritettix

The Philippine archipelago houses an incredibly diverse biota, among which are 122 species of pygmy grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae). Many of them belong to genera without proper taxonomic assignment and some genera, e.g., Bolivaritettix are so speciose and ill-defined that working with them is practically impossible. Here, we make a step toward the resolution of these problems by describing a new genus, Storozhenkotettix gen. nov. for Bolivaritettix amphinotoides, resulting in a new combination, S. amphinotoides comb. nov. This species does not seem to be closely related to the type species of Bolivaritettix, but rather to Trusmaditetrix, which is a member of the tribe Trusmaditetrigini. We provide new records of S. amphinotoides comb. nov., together with photographs of living specimens and habitat descriptions. The species was observed along the edges of montane forests and in the disturbed parts within forests. It seems to prefer partially shaded humid habitats.

Nomenclatural notes on a variety of Orthoptera

This short paper resolves some synonymic issues, mostly within neotropical Tettigoniidae, that arose from the migration of Orthoptera Species File to a new software platform. Furthermore, the preoccupied name Ommatoptera is replaced by its junior synonym Pseudotanusia and Conocephalus macroxiphus is moved from Ruspolia to Neoconocephalus. Moreover, new names are proposed for primary or secondary homonyms among a species of tree cricket from China and seven species of grasshoppers from China, Australia and Africa. Micropterellus is proposed as substitute name for Micropterus in the Pyrgomorphidae.

Food-plant choice of seven dominant grasshopper species in the Xinjiang grasslands

Feeding habits and competitive interactions among dominant grasshopper species in the Xinjiang grasslands (China) were studied under natural conditions through microscopic analyses of insect crop contents. Sex-specific and interindividual differences in feeding habits and interspecific competition were investigated. Analyses of ecological niche width and overlap revealed potential competition among grasshoppers. The results showed significant difference in the sex-specific variations in the feeding habits of the seven grasshoppers; sex-specific variations in feeding range and preferred plants were observed, with females feeding more extensively on host plants, and female and male adults choosing to feed on different plant species. Individuals of all seven grasshoppers showed different degrees of dietary variance, with oligophagous grasshoppers (Oedaleus decorus males, Dericorys annulata, and Bryodema gebleri males) showing a smaller degree of individual dietary variance than polyphagous grasshoppers (Oedipoda caerulescens, Calliptamus coelesyriensis females, Calliptamus barbarus, and Notostaurus albicornis); Calliptamus coelesyriensis and Notostaurus albicornis showed the greatest individual variance in their diets. Oedaleus decorus, Bryodema gebleri, and Calliptamus barbarus consumed primarily Poaceae and exhibited varying foot-plant choice. For example, Oedaleus decorus was observed to have high- preference feeding for Poa annua, Bryodema gebleri for Stipa capillata, and Calliptamus barbarus for Setaria viridis. Dericorys annulata fed primarily on Amaranthaceae, Notostaurus albicornis fed primarily on Poaceae and Amaranthaceae, and Oedipoda caerulescens fed primarily on Asteraceae. Calliptamus barbarus exhibited strong interspecific competition with Oedaleus decorus and Calliptamus coelesyriensis, and Bryodema gebleri demonstrated the strongest interspecific competition with all six other species. Considering the influence of sex on interspecific competition among grasshoppers enhances our understanding of interspecific competitive relationships.

New data on bioacoustics and courtship behaviour in grasshoppers (Orthoptera, Acrididae, Gomphocerinae) from Russia and adjacent countries.

The songs of seven grasshopper species of subfamily Gomphocerinae from Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, and Kazakhstan were studied. We analysed not only the sound, but also the stridulatory movements of the hind legs to more entirely describe the songs. In Mesasippuskozhevnikovi, Chorthippusmacrocerus, and C.hammarstroemi, the legs are moved in a relatively simple pattern; four other species, Myrmeleotettixpalpalis, Stenobothrusnewskii, C.pullus, and Megaulacobothrusaethalinus demonstrate more complex leg movements. In six of the seven species studied, the courtship songs contain more sound elements than the calling songs. The highest number of courtship sound elements was found in M.palpalis and M.aethalinus. The different parts of a remarkably long stridulatory file in M.aethalinus are thought to participate in the production of different sound elements. The songs in S.newskii are shown for the first time. This species produces sound not only by common stridulation but also by wing beats. A relationship of S.newskii to some other species of the genus Stenobothrus, which are able to crepitate, is discussed. We also analyse the frequency spectra of the songs. A maximum energy of the song power spectra in six species studied lies in ultrasound range (higher than 20 kHz). In only M.aethalinus, the main peaks in the song power spectra lie lower than 20 kHz. The courtship behaviour in M.palpalis, C.macrocerus, and C.hammarstroemi was shown to include conspicuous visual display (movements of antennae, palps and the whole body).

Neutrosophic Completed Local Binary Pattern Based Grasshopper Species Classification

Locusts are seen as a major threat to the ecosystem because they devastate crops and contribute to thousands of tons food lost every year. Numerous well-trained agents are needed for the efficient control of these insects. However, this is a challenging process. Grasshopper detection methods are being developed using traditional forecasting methods by expert entomologists. The maximum potential of these methods has not yet been completely realized. Hence the majority of work is still done manually. In this paper, a neutrosophic CLBP (completed local binary pattern) based grasshopper species classification framework is proposed. Our proposed system comprises a novel grasshopper species database of over 7.392 images for grasshopper species classification. The grasshopper image is first converted to a neutrosophic field. These discriminatory features are merged with rotation invariant LBP. Our proposed system could achieve up to 99.7% classification accuracy even while working with challenging datasets of wide image quality and size range. The proposed methodology involved diagnosing 11 species and subspecies. It demonstrates the impracticability of conventional diagnostic techniques in the later stages. It could have a big impact on data analysis, enabling more effective handling of global pest.

Diversity of Grasshopper (Hexapoda: Orthoptera) in the Conservation Area of Kerandangan Natur Park, Senggigi, West Lombok

The Kerandangan TWA conservation area has high biodiversity, but much of it is unknown, including grasshoppers. This research aims to analyze the diversity of grasshoppers in the area. Grasshopper samples were collected on two transects determined purposively. This collection was carried out over two months, namely October to November 2022. Data on species and numbers were analyzed descriptively. This analysis includes abundance, richness index, diversity index, and species evenness index. Our findings show that there are 8 species of grasshoppers from the families Acrididae, Pyrgomorphidae, Catantopidae, and Tettigoniidae. The most abundant species was Stenocatantops splendens, whose proportion was 66.67%. The species richness, diversity, and evenness indexes were 2.06, 1.27, and 0.61, respectively. This shows that grasshopper biodiversity in Kerandangan TWA is relatively low. However, it must be conserved because of its essential role in maintaining regional ecological processes.

Development and Fabrication of Locust Control System - A Review

Locusts, a group comprising specific species of short-horned grasshoppers within the Acrididae family, undergo a phase where they swarm together. Typically solitary, these insects undergo a behavioural shift under certain conditions, becoming gregarious. These swarms of locusts pose a significant threat to agriculture, causing extensive damage to crops. Addressing this challenge, we're developing a simplified solution: a box equipped with ultraviolet light to attract locusts. As the locusts are drawn towards the light, they fall into the box, which then automatically closes to contain them. Subsequently, a high-voltage current is applied to the box to eliminate the locusts. To deter theft of the device, we're incorporating a security system. Additionally, the resulting locust ash can be easily decomposed. Keywords— Locusts management, Grasshopper, Locust bacterial. Desert locust, Locust hate.

A novel multiple sex chromosome system in Orthoptera, found in the tree cricket Oecanthus rubromaculatus Zefa, 2022 (Grylloidea, Oecanthidae)

The X0♂/XX♀ sex chromosome system prevails in most Orthopteran species. The X chromosome stands as one of the largest chromosomes within the complement, and is characterized by its heterochromatic nature. Variations of this model were found in some species of grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids, based on X/autosome rearrangements, giving rise to new sex chromosome systems, such as neo-XY♂/XX♀ and neo-X1X2Y♂/X1X1X2X2♀. The sex chromosome system neo-X1X20♂/X1X1X2X2♀ is rare in Orthoptera, and was observed only in two cricket species. In this study, we present the first multiple chiasmatic sex chromosome system in Orthoptera, found in the tree cricket Oecanthus rubromaculatus Zefa, 2022 from two distinct locations in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. In one location, individuals exhibited a karyotype with 2n = 12, X1X2Y1Y2♂/X1X1X2X2♀, while in the other a karyotype of 2n = 12, X1X2X3Y1Y2Y3♂/X1X1X2X2X3X3♀ was observed. We proposed a model to explain the evolutionary steps in the formation of these karyotypes, based on chromosomal information of the Neotropical Oecanthus’ species. In this context, we proposed a hypothesis to explain the chromosome reorganization in O. rubromaculatus, starting from an ancestral karyotype of 2n = 21, X0♂, like the karyotype found in Oecanthus pictus Milach &amp; Zefa, 2015, resulting in a significant reduction to 2n = 12 in O. rubromaculatus. This reorganization has led to the emergence of the novel multiple sex chromosome system in Orthoptera.

Locustamigratoria (L.) (Orthoptera) in a warming world: unravelling the ecological consequences of climate change using GIS.

The migratory locust, Locustamigratoria (L.), a significant grasshopper species known for its ability to form large swarms and cause extensive damage to crops and vegetation, is subject to the influence of climate change. This research paper employs geographic information system (GIS) and MaxEnt ecological modelling techniques to assess the impact of climate change on the distribution patterns of L.migratoria. Occurrence data and environmental variables are collected and analysed to create predictive models for the current and future distribution of the species. The study highlights the crucial role of climate factors, particularly temperature and precipitation, in determining the locust's distribution. The MaxEnt models exhibit high-performance indicators, accurately predicting the potential habitat suitability of L.migratoria. Additionally, specific bioclimatic variables, such as mean temperature and annual precipitation, are identified as significant factors influencing the species' presence. The generated future maps indicate how this species will invade new regions especially in Europe. Such results predict the risk of this destructive species for many agriculture communities as a direct result of a warming world. The research provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between locust distribution and environmental factors, enabling the development of effective strategies for locust management and early warning systems to mitigate the impact on agriculture and ecosystems.

Major Northeastward Range Extension for a Western Grasshopper Species: New State Record for Trimerotropis pallidipennis (Burmeister) in Wisconsin

Major Northeastward Range Extension for a Western Grasshopper Species: New State Record for Trimerotropis pallidipennis (Burmeister) in Wisconsin

Prva potrditev pojavljanja pisane krtovke Xya variegata (Latreille, 1809) (Orthoptera: Tridactylidae) v Sloveniji

The occurrence of the variegated molehopper Xya variegata in Slovenia is confirmed unambiguously for the first time, based on observations of adults and larvae on 24. 3. 2023 and 2. 6. 2023 on the banks of a gravel pit along the Mura River, east of Petišovci in the Prekmurje region, northeastern Slovenia. Thus, the previously doubtful inclusion of the species in the checklist of Slovenian Orthoptera is now justified. Further research is needed to improve knowledge of its distribution and biology. A detailed assessment of the threat status and planning of conservation measures for this threatened and ecologically highly specialised grasshopper species should also be carried out.