Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dsjbd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T12:57:59.047Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The dispersal of the variegated grasshopper, Zonocerus variegatus (Linnaeus) (Orthoptera, Acridoidea, Pyrgomorphidae), in open fields and cultivated farms

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

Ifedioramma E. Nwana
Ifedioramma E. Nwana
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Biology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Get access

Abstract

Marked individuals of Zonocerus variegatus were released in batches of 100 per developmental cohort at definitive loci in either an open field of mainly giant star grass, Cynodon sp. or a cultivated farm of cassava, Manihot esculenta. The distance and direction of movement of individuals in any given stadium were determined in metres and angular degrees. The mean distances moved by marked Z. variegatus for each day of observation were determined by Clark's root mean square formula.

The results showed that older cohorts covered more distance during a given period than young cohorts. However, while the first instar nymphs moved significantly less than any other cohort, the differences in the mean daily distances moved by nymphs of the second through the sixth developmental instars in the cassava farm were not statistically significant. For all cohorts, Z. variegatus covered significantly more distances in the open field than in the cultivated farm, suggesting that the availability of food inhibited the rate of dispersal of Z. variegatus. There was no significant difference in the number of Z. variegatus found on the different aspects of the compass.

Keywords

Dispersalvariegated grasshopperZonocerus variegatuscultivated farmopen fieldcassavacontrol
Type
Research Article
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 5 , Issue 4 , August 1984 , pp. 273 - 278
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1984

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Adu-Mensah, K. and Kumar, R. (1977) Ecology of Oxycarenus Species (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae) in southern Ghana. Biol. J. Lin. Soc. 9, 349–377.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Andrewartha, H. G. (1970) Introduction to the Study of Animal Populations. Methuen, London.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Anya, A. O. (1973) Ecology of the variegated grasshopper, Zonocerus variegatus (L.) (Orthoptera: Acridoidea, Pyrgomorphidae) on the Nsukka Plateau, Nigeria. Entomologia exp. appl. 16, 65–76.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
British Ministry for Overseas Development (1977) Control of Zonocerus variegatus (L.) in Nigeria: Final report and recommendations. London, Centre for Overseas Pest Research.Google Scholar
Chapman, R. F. (1964) The structure and wear of the mandibles in some African grasshoppers. Proc. zool. Soc. Lond. 142, 107–121.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chapman, R. F. and Page, W. W. (1978) Embryonic development and water relations of the eggs of Zonocerus variegatus (L.) (Acridoidae: Pyrgomorphidae). Acrida 7, 243–252.Google Scholar
Clark, D. P. (1962) An analysis of dispersal and movement in Phaulacridium vittatum (Sjost) (Acrididae). Aust. J. Zool. 10, 382–399.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fuseini, B. A. and Kumar, R. (1975) Ecology of cotton stainers (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae) in southern Ghana. Biol. J. Lin. Soc. 7, 113–146.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Golding, F. D. (1940) Notes on the variegated grasshopper, Zonocerus variegatus L. In Nigeria. Bull. ent. Res. 30, 543–550.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Golding, F. D. (1946) The insect pests of Nigerian crops and stock. Spec. Bull. Dep. Agric. Nigeria No. 4.Google Scholar
Jerath, M. L. (1965) Notes on the biology of Zonocerus variegatus Linnaeus from Eastern Nigeria. Revue Zool. Bot. afr. 72, 243–251.Google Scholar
Jerath, M. L. (1968) Notes on the biology of some short horned grasshoppers from Eastern Nigeria (Orthoptera: Acridoidea). Proc. R. ent. Soc. Lond.(A) 43, 27–38.Google Scholar
Lamborn, W. A. (1914) The agricultural pests of the Southern Provinces, Nigeria. Bull. ent. Res. 5, 197–214.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Libby, J. L. (1968) Insect pests of Nigerian crops. Res. Bull. agric. Stn. Univ. Wis. No. 269.Google Scholar
Modder, W. W. D. (1978) Respiratory and weight changes, and water uptake, during embryonic development and diapause in the African grasshopper, Zonocerus variegatus (L.) (Acridoidae: Pyrgomorphidae). Acrida 7, 253–265.Google Scholar
Modder, W. W. D. (1979) Effect of egg-pod exposure on respiration and dry matter and water content in eggs of the African grasshopper Zonocerus variegatus (L.) (Acridoidea: Pyrgomorphidae). Acrida 8, 219–226.Google Scholar
Okere, A. N. (1980) Studies on the Biology of Zonocerus variegatus (L.) (Orthoptera: Acridoidea). Ph.D. thesis. Ibadan.Google Scholar
Oyidi, O. (1966) Variation and Variability in Orthopteran Insects. Ph.D. thesis, London.Google Scholar
Page, W. W. (1978) Destruction of eggs as an alternative to chemical control of the grasshopper Zonocerus variegatus (L.) (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae) in Nigeria. Bull. ent. Res. 68, 575–581.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Peacock, A. D. (1913) Entomological pests and problems of Southern Nigeria. Bull. ent. Res. 4, 191–220.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Taylor, T. A. (1972) On the origin of the wet season form of Zonocerus variegatus (L.) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in southern Nigeria, with some biological notes. Bull. ent. Res. 61, 661–667.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Toye, S. A. (1969) A severe damage to a banana plantation by Zonocerus variegatus (L.). Nigerian ent. Mag. 1, 125–128.Google Scholar
Toye, S. A. (1971) The locomotory activity of Zonocerus variegatus (L.) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) under natural light, temperature and humidity conditions. J. nat. Hist. 5, 601–607.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Toye, S. A. (1974) Feeding and locomotory activities of Zonocerus variegatus (L.). Revue Zool. Bot afr. 88, 205–212.Google Scholar