Abstract:
Grasshoppers belonging to subfamily Oedipodinae are commonly known as band-
winged grasshoppers and are brightly colored, they often flash their wings during
flight.
These grasshoppers are of considerable economic importance, and generally
occur in wide range of habitat, ranging from agricultural loam, deserted, semi
deserted and hilly areas having the vegetation of grasses, herbs and shrubs. The
growing list of described species and sub species their possible economic importance
as well as lack of any comparative taxonomic study and need for accurate
identification to certain knowledge of relationship within subfamily Oedipodinae.
Keeping in view this it is essential to identify them accurately so that diagnosis of an
economic problem can be properly made.
The grasshoppers were collected with the help of traditional hand net
from
agricultural crops, hilly areas, deserted and semi deserted plains having the
vegetation of grasses, herbs and shrubs.
Two
species and one sub species namely, Hilethera balucha,
Sphingonotus
sindhensis,and S.nebulosis tokhai` is described new to science. Acrotylus patruelis is
recorded for the first time from this area.
During the present study thirty species and sub species of Oedipodinae grasshoppers
were studied. of these in Epacromini,5 species , 5 in Acrotylini, 4, in
Oedipodini,6,
in Locustini, and 12 in Sphingonotini,1. in Trilophidini.
Occurrence of many of the previously recorded species has been confirmed and their
distribution has been extended to new localities. The descriptions, synonymy, of the
various species studied are given. In addition to these a simplified taxonomic key
based on the external morphology and on genitalia have been prepared
separation of tribes, genera, and species of Oedipodinae.
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