Seasonal occurrence of life stages of grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acridoidea) in the southern Pampas, Argentina.

CLAPS, M. C.; GABELLONE, N.; BENÍTEZ, H. H.

ZOOLOGICAL STUDIES

ACAD SINICA INST ZOOLOGY

Año: 2011 vol. 50 p. 737 - 744

1021-5506

The seasonal ocurrence of life stages of grasshopper species of the Southern Pampas was studied through sampling of representative habitats for five seasons (2005-6 through 2009-10) in Laprida County, Buenos Aires province. Twenty two species were collected, 11 of which were the most abundant. Ten species had one generation per year (univoltine), of which nine (Aleuas lineatus, Borellia bruneri, Borellia pallida, Covasacris pallidinota, Dichroplus conspersus, Dichroplus elongatus, Dichroplus maculipennis, Dichroplus pratensis, Scotussa lemniscata) spent the winter in the egg stage, younger nymphs (instars I, II, III) occurring since mid spring. The period of maximum abundance of nymphs was from November to mid December. Since January most species had a higher proportion of adults, being the dominant state by mid-autumn. Only one species (Sinipta dalmani) spent the winter as nymph. Baeacris pseudopunctulactus was the only species having more than one generation per year.