Taxonomy of the Grasshoppers (Acrididae) of Sind

Abstract

The grasshoppers belonging to family Acrididae are of considerable economic importance o crop and range land. It is essential to have a detailed knowledge of their value as a pest so that diagnosis of an economic problem can be properly made. Survey of grasshoppers from all the districts of Sindh have not been done before. Therefore, the present extensive survey was carried out throughout the Sindh. The field sites included the agricultural, semi mountainous and semi desert areas with the vegetation of crops, grasses, herbs and shrubs. Six extensive trips were made to each of the various districts of Sindh. A total of about 1904 adults’ specimens collected in about 2400 sweeps. The collected materials was sorted out in 42 species of grasshoppers; out of which 6 belong to Acridinae, 15 to Locustinae, 5 to Eyprepocnemidinae, 4 to oxyinae, 3 to Gomphocerinae, 2 to Crytacanthacridinae, 2 to Truxalinae, 1 to Catantopinae, 1 to Calopteninae, 1 to Euthyminae 1 to Tropidplinae and 1 to Dericorythinae. During the present study six species have been recorded for the first time from this area. These are Dericorystibialis, Gelastorhinus, Filatus, Oedipoda, Germanica Oedipodid, Miascirtus wagneri, Rogenhoferi, Hyalorrhiple clausi and Spingenetus theodori Theodore. Besides, a new species Oxypterna akbarii reported by Moeed (1976) has been confirmed and its distribution is extended. The distribution of many of the previously recorded species has been extended as well. In addition to these a simplified taxonomic key based on the external morphological characters for the separation of sub- families, green and species of Acrididae is presented.