TAXONOMY OF THE BAND-WINGED GRASSHOPPERS (OEDIPODINAE: ACRIDIDAE: ACRIDOIDEA: ORTHOPTERA) OF PAKISTAN

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. v