Toad grasshopper

CIGLIANO, M.M., C.E. LANGE

Encyclopedia of Pest Orthoptera of the World.

China Agricultural University Press

Lugar: Pekin; Año: 2019; p. 235 - 238

Bufonacris claraziana is endemic to Argentine Patagonia from Neuquén and Río Negro provinces to southern Santa Cruz province. It is a poliphagous species that consumes practically any plant material, from tender grasses of the ?mallines? (low, moist biotopes) where hatchings take place to the harder grasses of the arid Patagonian steppe (Stipa, Festuca) and even sometimes the lower branches of shrubs (Berberis, Senecio). Crops are not normally present where outbreaks occur. Where horticulture is practiced, some vegetables and fruits may be affected. Despite being apterous, the voracious hoppers and adults are markedly mobile, marching from the moist lowlands of hatching (?mallines?) to other valleys where they destroy forage of grassland vegetation. Univoltine species with a long obligatory embryonic diapause. It was mentioned that a generation might actually take two seasons. Adults normally copulate in December-January and egg-laying usually takes place in February. The number of nymphal instars is not known. Limited management alternatives are available.