Spotted-wing grasshopper

C. E. LANGE, M. M. CIGLIANO

Encyclopedia of Pest Orthoptera of the World.

China Agricultural University Press

Lugar: Pekin; Año: 2019; p. 83 - 86

Dichroplus maculipennis is distributed in Chile, Uruguay and the southern tip of Brazil. In Argentina, it occurs in a triangle that extends from the Pampas to Catamarca in the northwest and to Santa Cruz in Patagonia. It is a polyphagous species that prefers grasses and leguminous plants but would feed on almost any available plant when populations are at outbreak. Alfalfa, other forage crops, and natural pastures are the main items affected. However, when outbreaks occur a great variety of plants are affected including cereals, cloves, flax, trees in nurseries, legumes, vegetables in general, and ornamental plants. D. maculipennis is one of the most damaging grasshoppers, especially in the Pampas and Patagonia. Competition with cattle on pastures is significant, particularly during drought periods. D. maculipennis is an univoltine species with obligate embryonic diapause. It is usually an early season grasshopper. Low fields with compact soils and little cover of coarse grasses are preferred for oviposition. Females lay a mean of five egg-pods with 20-40 eggs each. Postembryonic development takes 5-6 instars before adulthood. At low density, D. maculipennis is sedentary while it readily becomes migratory at high density. Swarm-like displacements may reach up to 50 km. Management options are discussed.