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Adult development in the Australian plague locust, Chortoicetes terminifera (Walker) (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

D. M. Hunter
D. M. Hunter
Affiliation:
Australian Plague Locust Commission, Department of Primary Industry, Canberra 2600, Australia
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Abstract

In the field in eastern Australia, adult females of Chortoicetes terminifera (Wlk.) underwent stages of body growth, fat accumulation and then egg maturation. Rainfall, and the resulting condition of the feed, determined the speed of development through the stages. If feed was dry, development was slow and stages could be suppressed; but even with feed that was only ‘dry-green’ locusts grew normally, accumulated fat, and then matured eggs after migration. If lush green pasture occurred following rain on the adults, they persisted and soon began to mature eggs. Thus females oviposit in the area where they hatched only if pastures there are lush green, thus ensuring some food for their offspring.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 72 , Issue 4 , December 1982 , pp. 589 - 598
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1982

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