Orthopteroid Insects Research Articles

Parasitoid flies (Diptera, Tachinidae) in true crickets (Orthoptera, Grylloidea): New host records from Brazil, identification key to parasitoids, and revision of host-parasitoid interactions

True crickets (Orthoptera, Grylloidea) are often parasitized by tachinid flies (Diptera, Tachinidae). However, the diversity of these parasitoids and their oviposition strategies remain unclear. Although some flies are specialized in locating crickets by their calling songs, such as the phonotactic fly Ormia ochracea (Bigot, 1889), a large portion of the tachinids that attack true crickets show different host search strategies and are adapted to parasitize other orthopteroid insects as well. However, these parasitoids have a complex and challenging taxonomy that precludes further improvement in the understanding of Tachinidae-Orthoptera interactions. Here, we described and illustrated seven new host records in Gryllidae and Phalangopsidae species from Brazil, including notes on the diagnostic characters of each parasitoid and host. An illustrated identification key to Tachinidae genera recorded in Grylloidea is also provided. Finally, all published records of Tachinidae parasitism in true crickets were revised and are presented in an annotated catalog in order to understand the host range and different oviposition strategies of each parasitoid lineage.

The neuronal innervation pattern of the subgenual organ complex in Peruphasma schultei (Insecta: Phasmatodea)

The proximal tibia of orthopteroid insects contains sensory organs, the subgenual organ complex, detecting mechanical stimuli including substrate vibration. In stick insects, two chordotonal organs occur in close proximity, the subgenual organ and the distal organ, which likely detect substrate vibrations. In most stick insects, both organs are innervated by separate nerve branches. To obtain more data on the neuroanatomy of the subgenual organ complex from the New World phasmids (Occidophasmata), the present study documents the neuronal innervation of sensory organs in the subgenual organ complex of Peruphasma schultei, the first species from Pseudophasmatinae investigated for this sensory complex. The innervation pattern shows a distinct nerve branch for the subgenual organ and for the distal organ in most cases. Some variability in the innervation, which generally occurs for these chordotonal organs, was noted for both organs in P. schultei. The most common innervation for both organs was by a single nerve branch for each organ. The innervation of the subgenual organ resembled the nerve pattern of another New World phasmid, but was simpler than in the Old World phasmids (Oriophasmata) studied so far. Therefore, the peripheral neuronal innervation of sensory organs could reflect phylogenetic relationships and provide phylogenetic information, while the overall neuroanatomy of the subgenual organ complex is similar in stick insects.

Grasshoppers and crickets (Orthoptera), earwigs (Dermaptera) and cockroaches (Blattodea) of the Bory Tucholskie National Park (Poland)

This paper presents the results of the study on grasshoppers and crickets (Orthoptera), earwigs (Dermaptera) and cockroaches (Blattodea) of the Bory Tucholskie National Park (=BTNP) (part of Tuchola Forest, northern Poland), conducted in the years 2001, 2013 and 2014. The insects were caught using Moericke traps at 9 sites, capturing respectively: 2001 – 11 ind., 2013 – 1115 ind. and 2014 – 228 ind. An additional visual record was made at the tenth site, where no traps were set. In total, 24 species of grasshoppers and crickets, 3 species of earwigs and 1 species of cockroach were recorded in the BTNP. Tettigonia cantans (Fuessly), Roeseliana roeselii (Hagenb.), Pholidoptera griseoaptera (Deg.), Chelidurella acanthopygia (Géné) and Labidura riparia (Pall.) were found for the first time within the whole Tuchola Forest. The research method used is noteworthy, as the capture of such a large number of orthopteroid insects in Moericke traps is rare in Poland.

Sixty years of work on Italy’s Orthopteroids biodiversity, the big data of Galvagni collection

BackgroundHistorical natural history collections are very important for the study of nature and environmental protection of the environment, these being the depository of essential information. The Fondazione Museo Civico di Rovereto holds two major Orthopteroid insect collections that make this Museum a landmark on Italian and Mediterranean Orthoptera diversity. Databasing the Galvagni Collection allows considerations on geographic and taxonomic coverage by specialist researchers.New informationDatabasing of the Galvagni Collection makes possible considerations on the late specialist research, geographic and taxonomic coverage.

Orthopteroid insects (Mantodea, Blattodea, Dermaptera, Phasmoptera, Orthoptera) of agrocenosis of rice fields in Kyzylorda oblast, South Kazakhstan

Abstract An annotated list of Orthopteroidea of rise paddy fields in Kyzylorda oblast in South Kazakhstan is given. A total of 60 species of orthopteroid insects were identified, belonging to 58 genera from 17 families and 5 orders. Mantids are represented by 3 families, 6 genera and 6 species; cockroaches – by 2 families, 2 genera and 2 species; earwigs – by 3 families, 3 genera and 3 species; sticks insects – by 1 family, 1 genus and 1 species. Orthopterans are most numerous (8 families, 46 genera and 48 species). Of these, three species, Bolivaria brachyptera, Hierodula tenuidentata and Ceraeocercus fuscipennis, are listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Celes variabilis and Chrysochraon dispar indicated for the first time for a given location. The fauna of orthopteroid insects in the studied areas of Kyzylorda is compared with other regions of Kazakhstan.

Scientific Report - Proposal of a standardized EDGG surveying methodology for orthopteroid insects

Scientific Report - Proposal of a standardized EDGG surveying methodology for orthopteroid insects

Assemblages of orthopteroid insects along environmental gradients in central and southern Madagascar

Madagascar is one of the world hotspots for endemics, and its rapidly changing habitats accelerate the need for their study and conservation. Orthopterans, mantids, phasmids, and cockroaches were sampled in five main habitats (savanna and shrubland, semiarid spiny forest, rainforest, mountain grass- and shrubland, and cultivated habitats) in central and southern Madagascar (41 sites, 0–2250 m a.s.l.) with the aim of getting the first data on their diversity and distribution along environmental gradients shortly after the rainy period. Samples were collected primarily by sweeping herb and shrub vegetation along transects 100 m long and 1–2 m wide (5–8 transects/site) and supplemented using other techniques. Altogether 117 species of orthopteroid insects were found (94 Orthoptera, 7 Mantodea, 4 Phasmida, and 12 Blattodea), among them two katydid species which had been recently described as new to science (Mimoscudderia longicaudataHeller & Krištín, 2019,Parapyrrhicia leucaHemp & Heller, 2019). High species diversity was documented: altogether 63 species (53.8%) were present at only one site, 14 (12%) at two sites, and 5 species (4.2%) at three sites. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling analysis on species composition did not clearly separate the assemblages of the sampled sites. Species assemblages from four habitats overlapped due to their similarity. Only assemblages from the rainforest sites were partially separated from the other sites. Cultivated habitats were characterized by the most frequent (F > 50%) and abundant grasshopper species, such asAcorypha decisa,Aiolopus thalassinus rodericensis,Oedaleus virgula,Gelastorrhinus edax,Gymnobothrusspp,. andAcrotylusspp. We found a significant association between habitat management and species rareness, where the number of rare species was higher in natural/unmanaged habitats. However, we found no association between habitat management and the number of endemic species. For several species we provide the first detailed data on their localities and habitat.

Ontogeny and development of the tritocerebral commissure giant (TCG): an identified neuron in the brain of the grasshopper Schistocerca gregaria.

The tritocerebral commissure giant (TCG) of the grasshopper Schistocerca gregaria is one of the best anatomically and physiologically described arthropod brain neurons. A member of the so-called Ventral Giant cluster of cells, it integrates sensory information from visual, antennal and hair receptors, and synapses with thoracic motor neurons in order to initiate and regulate flight behavior. Its ontogeny, however, remains unclear. In this study, we use bromodeoxyuridine incorporation and cyclin labeling to reveal proliferative neuroblasts in the region of the embryonic brain where the ventral giant cluster is located. Engrailed labeling confirms the deutocerebral identity of this cluster. Comparison of soma locations and initial neurite projections into tracts of the striate deutocerebrum help identify the cells of the ventral cluster in both the embryonic and adult brain. Reconstructions of embryonic cell lineages suggest deutocerebral NB1 as being the putative neuroblast of origin. Intracellular dye injection coupled with immunolabeling against neuron-specific horseradish peroxidase is used to identify the VG1 (TCG) and VG3 neurons from the ventral cluster in embryonic brain slices. Dye injection and backfilling are used to document axogenesis and the progressive expansion of the dendritic arbor of the TCG from mid-embryogenesis up to hatching. Comparative maps of embryonic neuroblasts from several orthopteroid insects suggest equivalent deutocerebral neuroblasts from which the homologous TCG neurons already identified in the adult brain could originate. Our data offer the prospect of identifying further lineage-related neurons from the cluster and so understand a brain connectome from both a developmental and evolutionary perspective.

The scolopidial accessory organ in the Jerusalem cricket (Orthoptera: Stenopelmatidae)

Multiple mechanosensory organs form the subgenual organ complex in orthopteroid insects, located in the proximal tibia. In several Ensifera (Orthoptera), a small chordotonal organ, the so-called accessory organ, is the most posterior part of this sensory complex. In order to document the presence of this accessory organ among the Ensifera, the chordotonal sensilla and their innervation in the posterior tibia of two species of Jerusalem crickets (Stenopelmatidae: Stenopelmatus) is described. The sensory structures were stained by axonal tracing. Scolopidial sensilla occur in the posterior subgenual organ and the accessory organ in all leg pairs. The accessory organ contains 10–17 scolopidial sensilla. Both groups of sensilla are commonly spatially separated. However, in few cases neuronal fibres occurred between both organs. The two sensillum groups are considered as separate organs by the general spatial separation and innervation by different nerve branches. A functional role for mechanoreception is considered: since the accessory organ is located closely under the cuticle, sensilla may be suited to detect vibrations transferred over the leg's surface. This study extends the known taxa with an accessory organ, which occurs in several taxa of Ensifera. Comparative neuroanatomy thus suggests that the accessory organ may be conserved at least in Tettigoniidea.

An annotated list of the orthopteroid insects described by Kurt Harz, with an account of the type specimens held in the Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Genève

Kurt Harz described 98 species or subspecies of orthopteroid insects. The names are listed, their current combination and the location of the types are given. Where the primary type specimens are in Harz's collection, now in the Museum d'histoire naturelle de Geneve (MHNG), the sex, verbatim label data and condition of the specimens is given, along with their location within the collection.

In search for a compromise between biodiversity conservation and human health protection in restoration of fly ash deposits: effect of anti-dust treatments on five groups of arthropods.

Recently, fly ash deposits have been revealed as a secondary refuge of critically endangered arthropods specialised on aeolian sands in Central Europe. Simultaneously, these anthropogenic habitats are well known for their negative impact on human health and the surrounding environment. The overwhelming majority of these risks are caused by wind erosion, the substantial decreasing of which is thus necessary. But, any effects of anti-dust treatments on endangered arthropods have never been studied. We surveyed communities of five arthropod groups (wild bees and wasps, leafhoppers, spiders, hoverflies and orthopteroid insects) colonising three fly ash deposits in thewestern Czech Republic. We focused on two different anti-dust treatments (~70 and 100% cover of fly ash by barren soil) and their comparison with a control of bare fly ash. Altogether, we recorded 495 species, including 132 nationally threatened species (eight of them were considered to be extinct in the country) and/or 30 species strictly specialised to drift sands. Bees and wasps and leafhoppers contained the overwhelming majority of species of the highest conservation interest; a few other important records were also in spiders and orthopteroids. Total soil cover depleted the unique environment of fly ash and thus destroyed the high conservation potential of the deposits. On the other hand, partial coverage (with ~30% of bare fly ash) still offered habitats for many of the most threatened species, as we showed by both regression and multivariate analyses, with a decrease of wind erosion. This topic still needs much more research interest, but we consider mosaic-like preservation of smaller spots of fly ash as one of the possible compromises between biodiversity and human health.

The accessory organ, a scolopidial sensory organ, in the cave cricket Troglophilus neglectus (Orthoptera: Ensifera: Rhaphidophoridae)

AbstractMechanoreceptor organs occur in great diversity in insect legs. This study investigates sensory organs in the leg of atympanate cave crickets (Troglophilus neglectus KRAUSS, 1879) by neuronal tracing. Previously, the subgenual and the intermediate organs were recognised in the subgenual organ complex, lacking the tympanal membranes present for example in the tibial hearing organs of Gryllidae and Tettigoniidae. We document the presence of the accessory organ in T. neglectus. This scolopidial organ is located in the posterior tibia close to the subgenual organ and can be identified by position, innervation and orientation of the dendrites of sensory neurons. The main motor nerve in the leg innervates a part of the subgenual organ and the accessory organ. The dendrites of sensory neurons in the accessory organ are characteristically bent in proximo‐dorsal direction, while the subgenual organ dendrites run distally along the longitudinal axis of the leg. The accessory organ contains 6–10 scolopidial sensilla, and no differences in neuroanatomy occur between the three thoracic leg pairs. Hence, the subgenual organ complex in cave crickets is more complex than previously known. The wider taxonomic distribution of the accessory scolopidial organ among orthopteroid insects is inconsistent, indicating its repeated losses or convergent evolution.

Evolution and taxonomic significance of the copulatory apparatus in Ensifera (Orthoptera). Part 1: General concepts and origin

The importance of using copulatory characters in generic and higher taxonomy (not only in species taxonomy) is discussed in the light of the recent “genital clock” concept which should partly replace the old “lock-and-key” theory. This concept assumes that evolutional changes in the copulatory apparatus (if it is sufficiently complicated) follow after genetic drift, and that these processes occur at a more uniform rate than changes in the characters of external morphology, ecological properties and many other biological traits, since structure of this apparatus is less dependent upon the situation in the ecosystem. Evolution of the copulatory apparatus in the suborder Ensifera and in its ancestors may be divided into three hypothetical stages reflected in some morphological features: 1) a highly hypothetical stage without copulation and without a copulatory apparatus in the most ancient (extinct) orthopteroid insects; 2) the appearance of different organs in early Orthoptera serving for fixation of partners during copulation and for insertion of the spermatophore in the female genital chamber; 3) the development of complicated organ with consolidation of these functions.

Sensory neuroanatomy of stick insects highlights the evolutionary diversity of the orthopteroid subgenual organ complex

The subgenual organ is a scolopidial sense organ located in the tibia of many insects. In this study the neuroanatomy of the subgenual organ complex of stick insects is clarified for two species, Carausius morosus and Siyploidea sipylus. Neuronal tracing shows a subgenual organ complex that consists of a subgenual organ and a distal organ. There are no differences in neuroanatomy between the three thoracic leg pairs, and the sensory structures are highly similar in both species. A comparison of the neuroanatomy with other orthopteroid insects highlights two features unique in Phasmatodea. The subgenual organ contains a set of densely arranged sensory neurons in the anterior-ventral part of the organ, and a distal organ with 16-17 scolopidial sensilla in C. morosus and 20-22 scolopidial sensilla in S. sipylus. The somata of sensory neurons in the distal organ are organized in a linear array extending distally into the tibia, with only a few exceptions of closely associated neurons. The stick insect sense organs show a case of an elaborate scolopidial sense organ that evolved in addition to the subgenual organ. The neuroanatomy of stick insects is compared to that studied in other orthopteroid taxa (cockroaches, locusts, crickets, tettigoniids). The comparison of sensory structures indicates that elaborate scolopidial organs have evolved repeatedly among orthopteroids. The distal organ in stick insects has the highest number of sensory neurons known for distal organs so far.

The oldest plant-insect interaction in Croatia: Carboniferous evidence

The feeding trace Phagophytichnus ekowskii VAN AMEROM, 1966 is recorded on Taeniopteris carnotii ZEILLER, 1888, a cycadopsid leaf, from the Lika mudstone (Upper Kasimovian-Gzhelian) of Croatia. The distribution and occurrence of this ichnogenus and species are discussed and comparison made with occurrences on Taeniopteris angustifolia (SCHENK, 1927) in the Upper Landinian of Germany. Recent analogues are considered of the possible producer and an orthopteroid insect is suggested.

Tomographic reconstruction of neopterous carboniferous insect nymphs.

Two new polyneopteran insect nymphs from the Montceau-les-Mines Lagerstätte of France are presented. Both are preserved in three dimensions, and are imaged with the aid of X-ray micro-tomography, allowing their morphology to be recovered in unprecedented detail. One–Anebos phrixos gen. et sp. nov.–is of uncertain affinities, and preserves portions of the antennae and eyes, coupled with a heavily spined habitus. The other is a roachoid with long antennae and chewing mouthparts very similar in form to the most generalized mandibulate mouthparts of extant orthopteroid insects. Computer reconstructions reveal limbs in both specimens, allowing identification of the segments and annulation in the tarsus, while poorly developed thoracic wing pads suggest both are young instars. This work describes the morphologically best-known Palaeozoic insect nymphs, allowing a better understanding of the juveniles’ palaeobiology and palaeoecology. We also consider the validity of evidence from Palaeozoic juvenile insects in wing origin theories. The study of juvenile Palaeozoic insects is currently a neglected field, yet these fossils provide direct evidence on the evolution of insect development. It is hoped this study will stimulate a renewed interest in such work.

Active touch in orthopteroid insects: behaviours, multisensory substrates and evolution

Orthopteroid insects (cockroaches, crickets, locusts and related species) allow examination of active sensory processing in a comparative framework. Some orthopteroids possess long, mobile antennae endowed with many chemo- and mechanoreceptors. When the antennae are touched, an animal's response depends upon the identity of the stimulus. For example, contact with a predator may lead to escape, but contact with a conspecific may usually not. Active touch of an approaching object influences the likelihood that a discrimination of identity will be made. Using cockroaches, we have identified specific descending mechanosensory interneurons that trigger antennal-mediated escape. Crucial sensory input to these cells comes from chordotonal organs within the antennal base. However, information from other receptors on the base or the long antennal flagellum allows active touch to modulate escape probability based on stimulus identity. This is conveyed, at least to some extent, by textural information. Guidance of the antennae in active exploration depends on visual information. Some of the visual interneurons and the motor neurons necessary for visuomotor control have been identified. Comparisons across Orthoptera suggest an evolutionary model where subtle changes in the architecture of interneurons, and of sensorimotor control loops, may explain differing levels of vision-touch interaction in the active guidance of behaviour.

Danger detection and escape behaviour in wood crickets

The wind-sensitive cercal system of Orthopteroid insects that mediates the detection of the approach of a predator is a very sensitive sensory system. It has been intensively analysed from a behavioural and neurobiological point of view, and constitutes a classical model system in neuroethology. The escape behaviour is triggered in orthopteroids by the detection of air-currents produced by approaching objects, allowing these insects to keep away from potential dangers. Nevertheless, escape behaviour has not been studied in terms of success. Moreover, an attacking predator is more than “air movement”, it is also a visible moving entity. The sensory basis of predator detection is thus probably more complex than the perception of air movement by the cerci. We have used a piston mimicking an attacking running predator for a quantitative evaluation of the escape behaviour of wood crickets Nemobius sylvestris. The movement of the piston not only generates air movement, but it can be seen by the insect and can touch it as a natural predator. This procedure allowed us to study the escape behaviour in terms of detection and also in terms of success. Our results showed that 5–52% of crickets that detected the piston thrust were indeed touched. Crickets escaped to stimulation from behind better than to a stimulation from the front, even though they detected the approaching object similarly in both cases. After cerci ablation, 48% crickets were still able to detect a piston approaching from behind (compared with 79% of detection in intact insects) and 24% crickets escaped successfully (compared with 62% in the case of intact insects). So, cerci play a major role in the detection of an approaching object but other mechanoreceptors or sensory modalities are implicated in this detection. It is not possible to assure that other sensory modalities participate (in the case of intact animals) in the behaviour; rather, than in the absence of cerci other sensory modalities can partially mediate the behaviour. Nevertheless, neither antennae nor eyes seem to be used for detecting approaching objects, as their inactivation did not reduce their detection and escape abilities in the presence of cerci.

The mitochondrial genome of Bacillus stick insects (Phasmatodea) and the phylogeny of orthopteroid insects

The Order Phasmatodea (stick and leaf insects) includes many well-known species of cryptic phytophagous insects. In this work, we sequenced the almost complete mitochondrial genomes of two stick insect species of the genus Bacillus. Phasmatodea pertain to the Polyneoptera, and represent one of the major clades of heterometabolous insects. Orthopteroid insect lineages arose through rapid evolutionary radiation events, which likely blurred the phylogenetic reconstructions obtained so far; we therefore performed a phylogenetic analysis to resolve and date all major splits of orthopteroid phylogeny, including the relationships between Phasmatodea and other polyneopterans. We explored several molecular models, with special reference to data partitioning, to correctly detect any phylogenetic signal lying in rough data. Phylogenetic Informativeness analysis showed that the maximum resolving power on the orthopteroid mtDNA dataset is expected for the Upper Cretaceous, about 80millionyears ago (Mya), but at least 70% of the maximum informativeness is also expected for the 150–200Mya timespan, which makes mtDNA a suitable marker to study orthopteroid splits. A complete chronological calibration has also been computed following a Penalized Likelihood method. In summary, our analysis confirmed the monophyly of Phasmatodea, Dictyoptera and Orthoptera, and retrieved Mantophasmatodea as sister group of Phasmatodea. The origin of orthopteroid insects was also estimated to be in the Middle Triassic, while the order Phasmatodea seems to appear in the Upper Jurassic. The obtained results evidenced that mtDNA is a suitable marker to unravel the ancient splits leading to the orthopteroid orders, given a proper methodological approach.

New and little-known orthopteroid insects (Polyneoptera) from fossil resins: Communication 4

New taxa of Ensifera and Caelifera orthopterans (Insecta, Orthoptera), from the families Gryllotalpidae [Marchandiinae, subfam. nov. (Lower Cretaceous)], Haglotettigoniidae [?Haglotettigonia aenigmatosa, sp. nov. (Lower Cretaceous)], Tettigoniidae [Meconematinae: Archixizicus occidentalis, gen. et sp. nov. (Eocene), Eogrigoriora gracilis, gen. et sp. nov. (Eocene), Miophlugis rostratus, gen. et sp. nov. (Miocene)], Stenopelmatidae [Siinae: Electrosia baltica, gen. et sp. nov. (Eocene); Gryllacridinae: Plesiolarnaca prior, gen. et sp. nov. (Eocene)] and Tridactylidae [Mongoloxyinae: Birmitoxya intermedia, gen. et sp. nov. (Upper Cretaceous). The Eocene species Lipotactes martynovi Zeun. and L. bispinatus Weidn. are transferred to the genus Eomortoniellus Zeun. (Tettigoniidae: Tympanophorinae); Prorhaphidophora zeuneri Chop. and P. tachycinoides Chop. are transferred to the genus Protroglophilus Gor. (Rhaphidophoridae: Protroglophilinae). The Eocene species E. handlirschi Zeun., species of the genus Protroglophilus, and a possible member of the genus Succinotettix Piton (Tetrigidae: Tetriginae), as well as a Miocene representative of the genus Archaeoellipes Heads (Tridactylidae: Tridactylinae) are also discussed.