Diagnostic characters of the immature stages of the desert locust, Locusta migratoria L. (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Oedipodinae)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55627/zoobotanica.002.03.1018Keywords:
Gregarious phase, hatching, immature stages, identification key, Illustration, solitarious phaseAbstract
This study examined the morphological variation of the nymphs of the desert locust, Locusta migratoria. Nymphs of various stages of Locusta migratoria were collected from agricultural and nonagricultural fields of Sindh, Pakistan. Insect culture was maintained under laboratory conditions and reared to maturity at temperature 28±2°C to 39±2°C, relative humidity 28-61% and photoperiod of 12:12 (L: D). Cautiously sorting of instars showed that L. migratoria comprises on 5thnymphal stages in both the sexes with the exception of morphometric and morphological differences in each stage. This manuscript recruits the comparative diagnostic features, identification key along with illustration. During the laboratory rearing, we examined that solitarious phase of L. migratoria usually has two generations per annum. However, field survey revealed that higher temperature (> k 42oC) in the desert three generation were usually captured. Furthermore, the sex ratio favored female instars only. Locust instars remain in groups after hatching and rush to fresh green foliage for feeding. Each stage of instars differentiated on the basis of wing pad development, along with significant increases in the size of the first abdominal segment. Fifth instar has thicker venation, usually cross the 4th abdominal segment and displayed distinct color variation.
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