Systematic status and ecology of hieroglyph us perpolita (Uvarov,1932) (Acrididae: Orthoperta) of Pakistan

The grasshopper species hieroglyphus are well known as major pest of rice,sugarcane,wheat and maize in many countries of the world including pakistan. however,no information is available regarding h perpolita (uvarov). therefore,a study was carried out on taxonomy,morphology,distribution and ecology of h perpolita from pakistan during the year 2005-2007. in h. perpolita pronotum cylindrical dorsum crossed by four wide sulci,prosternai process bifurcate. lophi elongate,zygoma of cingulum narrow; rami broad; apodemes slightly shorter than basal valves of penis. further,other significant differences are studied in h perpolita on the bases of morphological traits as well as on genitalia components. this species occurs in macropterous form with two distinguish color forms: shinning yellow and dark green. h perpolita is univoltine and crossed six nymphal stages to become adult. hoppers usually begin to emerge in second week of june,but by middle of july most of the hoppers become adults. in addition to this,a close interaction of h. perpolita with saccharum bengalense was also studied. copyright 2010 zoological society of pakistan.