Behaviour of Rhammatocerus schistocercoides (Rehn, 1906) hopper bands in Mato Grosso, Brazil (Orthoptera : Acrididae : Gomphocerinae)

A detailed study on the behaviour of R. schistocercoides hopper bands in th eir natural biotopes was undertaken in Chapada dos Parecis (Mato Grosso), w hich is the main outbreak area of this grasshopper species in Brazil. These bands were accurately characterized (band shape, size, density, movement d irection and speed), along with their daily behaviour. Some bands were moni tored daily for about 2 weeks. The results highlighted the astonishingly in tense gregarious behaviour of this grasshopper. They also confirmed previou s observations of swarms in Mate Grosso, indicating that these grasshoppers have a low dispersal potential and that they are only a local problem in M ate Grosso.