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THE IMPORTANCE OF DRY PLANT MATERIAL IN THE DIET OF THE GRASSHOPPER MELANOPLUS SANGUINIPES (ORTHOPTERA: ACRIDIDAE)1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

K. S. McKinlay
Affiliation:
Research Station, Agriculture Canada, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 0X2

Abstract

Diets of fresh wheat foliage, rye, or lettuce had to be supplemented with dried wheat leaves, bran, or a dry alfalfa mix to obtain adequate growth and reproduction in the grasshopper Melanoplus sanguinipes (Fabr.). It was concluded that the high water content of fresh plant material makes it necessary for this insect to supplement its diet with dry vegetable material and that this may account for the success of toxic bran baits under field conditions.

Résumé

Les rations de feuillage frais de blé, de seigle ou de laitue devaient être complétées par des feuilles de blé séchées, du son ou un mélange de luzerne déshydraté pour permettre une croissance et une reproduction adéquates du criquet Melanoplus sanguinipes (Fabr.). L’auteur conclut que la forte teneur hydrique du matériel végétal frais oblige cet insecte à compléter son régime par des matières sèches, ce qui pourrait expliquer le succès remporté par les appâts toxiques de son installés en plein champ.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1981

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References

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