Behavioural analysis of feeding and breeding in Orthopteran insects

Abstract

Various aspects of the feeding and breeding behaviours in Orthoptera with special reference to Acridoidea and Tetrigoidea are discussed. The changes in the incisor and molar mandibular surfaces, laciniae and galeae of the maxillae, in relation to graminivory, herbivory and omnivory are cited as specific manifestations of the feeding behaviour. Similarly, in sharp contrast to Acridoids the rather poor foregut armature and small and compact feculae in Tetrigoids is suggested as an evidence indicating the correlation between food and feeding habits. While describing the breeding behaviour a generalized comparison of the utilization of the acoustic sexual signals in crickets and grasshoppers causing attraction and copulation or otherwise is made. Differences in the ovipositors, mode of egg-laying and the types of eggs in Acridoids and Tetrigoids are stated as characteristic features of reproductive behaviour. Factors influencing these behaviours in Orthoptera as well as the behaviours bringing about succession and changes in the patterns of life-forms are mentioned.Tools of behavioural investigations leading to the formulation of ethograms are briefly stated. Methods and techniques generally adopted in studying these aspects of behaviours are referred to as application of such ethological studies. The causative effect of feeding and breeding behaviours is depicted by proposing the adaptive radiation diagrams for the order Orthoptera.The article, in conclusion, points out certain areas related to these behaviours on which, work would seemingly be useful. For example, determination of the cues that bring about mating in grouse-locusts in the absence ofstridulatory and tympanal organs; the energy budget on account of their peculiar diet; and diapause are few such areas. The possibility of these forms turning out to be good models for experimental, lab-oriented studies is suggested. Since, as compared to Acridoids very little studies in the areas of economic and ecological impact in terms of population dynamics have been made on the Tettigonioids and Tetrigoids, it is further suggested that these if undertaken, would also furnish valuable information.

Ground dwelling pygmy grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) in Southeast Asian tropical freshwater swamp forest prefer wet microhabitats

“…On the other hand, pygmy grasshoppers did not appear to be associated with the vegetation types in the swamp forest since their food sources were often not affected by the vegetation types (Paranjape 1985, Paranjape andBhalerao 1985). This is contrary to previous studies showing diet preference of orthopterans is often closely linked to their association with specific vegetation or host plants (Joern 1982, Schaffers et al 2008, Badenhausser et al 2015, although these studies do not focus on pygmy grasshop-Journal of orthoptera research 2017, 26(1) pers.…”

Peer Review #1 of "Precopulatory behavior and sexual conflict in the desert locust (v0.1)"

“…The comsrehensive descristion sresented here of the recisrocal interactions between the sexes in the desert locust thus contributes to our understanding of the biology and behavior of this economically significant sest. The described and sresented ethogram offers a tool with which to comsare behavioral similarities and differences among different orthosteran insects (Paranjase 1985), and ssecifically among locust ssecies. Here we exclusively described the sexual behavior of the desert locust in the gregarious shase.…”

“…Manuscript to be reviewed mate recognition and sexual conflict (Paranjase 1985;Curkovic et al 2006;Cozzie & Irby 2010;Gaertner et al 2015), and ssecifically so in agricultural sests (Walgenbach & Burkholder 1987;Rojas et al 1990;Wang & Millar 2000;Zahn et al 2008).…”

Precopulatory behavior and sexual conflict in the desert locust

“…The 425 comprehensive description presented here of the reciprocal interactions between the sexes in the 426 desert locust thus contributes to our understanding of the biology and behavior of this economically 427 significant pest. The described and presentrd ethogram offers a tool with which to compare behavioral 428 similarities and differences among different orthopteran insects (Paranjape 1985), and specifically 429 among locust species. Here we exclusively described the sexual behavior of the desert locust in the 430 gregarious phase.…”

“…The quantification can be aided by using a Markovian chain, also known as a transition matrix 65 (Castrovillo and Cardé 1980;Haynes and Birch 1984). The knowledge gained may contribute not only 66 to deciphering evolutionary relationships between taxa, as in host-parasite interactions, but also to the 67 understanding of mate recognition and sexual conflicts (Paranjape 1985;Curkovic et al 2006; Cozzie & 68 Irby 2010; Gaertner et al 2015), and specifically so in agricultural pests (Walgenbach & Burkholder 69 1987; Rojas et al 1990; Wang & Millar 2000;Zahn et al 2008). 70…”