For a better knowledge of Atractomorpha acutipennis bio-ecology and to facilitate its identification, we studied the morphology, development and reproduction of this grasshopper on Manihot esculenta under laboratory conditions. Five hundred and fifty-one first nymphal stages obtained in the laboratory were reared in cages. Some body parts allowed a clear identification of different nymphal instars. Post-embryonic development passed through six stages (males) and seven stages (females). Mean nymphal development time was 17.14 ± 0.62, 12.91 ± 0.62, 13.45 ± 0.69, 13.80 ± 0.68, 15.23 ± 0.55 days respectively in males nymphal instars 1 to 5 and 16.18 ± 0.54, 13.13 ± 0.59, 12.49 ± 0.42, 13.19 ± 0.58, 14.58 ± 0.61, 16.57 ± 0.68 days respectively, in females nymphal instars 1 to 6. Adult females deposited an average of 3.67 ± 2 egg pods each comprising 30.77 ± 10.5 eggs. First mating was observed 18 ± 15.42 days after the last moult. Oviposition occured on average 19.33± 5.33 days after the first mating. This study provides important information about the biology of A. acutipennis, which could help in developing control methods against this grasshopper in southern Cameroon.
The specimens studied were collected with sweep net and pitfall in the forests, agro-forests, herbaceous fallows, and crop fields of 14 localities in the southern part of Cameroon, from August 2015 to February 2018. The results show that Heteracris hannai sp. nov. and Heteracris lecoqi sp. nov. differ from previously known species of the same genus by the pattern of coloration and the details or shape of the phallic complex. H. lecoqi sp. nov. is characterized by light brownish body; male cercus with flattened, downcurved and obtuse apex; lophus strongly curved; interlophal space with V shape; apodeme of cingulum bow, convergent, with V-shape; valve of cingulum in lateral view longer than apical valve of penis; ramus in ventral view joined. H. hannai sp. nov. is distinct to other species by brown to grey body; male cercus with apex rounded, curved inside; lophus curved; interlophal space with U-shape; apodeme of cingulum thick, slightly parallel, with U shape; valve of cingulum in lateral view hardly longer than apical valve of penis; ramus in ventral view opened. The characteristics of H. guineensis are closer to H. hannai sp. nov. than to H. lecoqi sp. nov. H. lecoqi sp. nov. was collected only in the fallows while H. hannai sp. nov. was collected in the forests, agro-forests, fallows, and crop fields. Compared to H. guineensis, both new species are scarce in the natural vegetation and their distribution area is limited to two and four localities respectively for H. lecoqi sp. nov. and H. hannai sp. nov. All these three grasshopper’s species were recorded as accidental species in all types of vegetation.
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