Am. Bhalerao et Sy. Paranjape, SOME ASPECTS OF POSTEMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT OF A GROUSE LOCUST, EUSCELIMENA-HARPAGO (ORTHOPTERA, TETRIGOIDEA), Oriental insect, 27, 1993, pp. 403-410
Laboratory observations on the post-embryonic development of the grous
e-locust Euscelimena harpago Serville (Tetrigidae) is are presented. T
he eggs are deposited a loose cluster in moist soil. All hoppers of a
given cluster emerge almost at the same time. The fecundity rate is hi
gh. Morphometric studies indicate that there is a progressive increase
in the size among different body parts except the Pronotum which incr
eases greatly immediately after moulting of the last instar into the a
dult. There are 6 nymphal instars in the male and 7 in the female. It
took about 55 days to complete the post-embryonic development in the m
ale and about 70 days in the female. The last instar in the female sho
ws tremendous increase in weight and a prolonged, dormant nymphal peri
od during summer. Field observations on the various instars indicate t
hat they feed on humus, algae and moss and show structural and behavio
ural adaptations for semi-aquatic life.