Morphology, development and reproduction of <em>Atractomorpha acutipennis</em> (Guérin-Méneville, 1844) (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae)

Sévilor  Kekeunou; Marcelle  Mbadjoun-Nziké; Alain Christel  Wandji; Steve Bernard  Soh-Baleba; Alfiery Laurel  Djomnang-Nkwala; Alain  Simeu-Noutchom; Charly  Oumarou-Ngoute; Philene Corine Aude  Um-Nyobe; Linda Gaelle  Guiadem-Simo; Patrick Ntonga  Akono

doi:10.4081/tz.2020.81

Authors

Sévilor Kekeunou Zoology Laboratory, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Centre, Cameroon.
Marcelle Mbadjoun-Nziké Zoology Laboratory, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Centre, Cameroon.
Alain Christel Wandji Zoology Laboratory, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Centre, Cameroon.
Steve Bernard Soh-Baleba International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi, Kenya.
Alfiery Laurel Djomnang-Nkwala Laboratory of Biology and Applied Ecology, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Cameroon.
Alain Simeu-Noutchom Zoology Laboratory, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Centre, Cameroon.
Charly Oumarou-Ngoute Zoology Laboratory, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Centre, Cameroon.
Philene Corine Aude Um-Nyobe Zoology Laboratory, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Centre, Cameroon.
Linda Gaelle Guiadem-Simo Zoology Laboratory, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Centre, Cameroon.
Patrick Ntonga Akono Animal Biology and Physiology Laboratory, Faculty of Science, University of Douala, Cameroon.

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.

Ackman O, Whitman DW. 2008. Analysis of body size and fecundity in a grasshopper. Journal of Orthoptera Research. 17:249–257. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1665/1082-6467-17.2.249

Adis J, Wolfgang JJ. 2003. Feeding impact and bionomics of the grasshopper Cornops aquaticum on the water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes in central Amazonian floodplains. Studies on Neopropical Fauna and Environment. 38:245–249. https://doi.org/10.1076/snfe.38.3.245.28167 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1076/snfe.38.3.245.28167

Adis J, Lhano M, Hill M, Wolfgang JJ, Marques MI, Oberholzer H. 2004. What determines the number of juvenile instars in the tropical grasshopper Cornops aquaticum (Leptysminae: Acrididae: Orthoptera)? Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment. 39:127–132. https://doi.org/10.1080/01650520412331271729 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01650520412331271729

Alene DC, Messi J, Quilici S. 2004. Contribution à la connaissance de la faune d’arthropodes associée à Ricinodendron heudelotii Baill. (Euphorbiaceae) au Cameroun. Fruits. 60(2):121–132. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/fruits:2005016

Badenhausser I. 2012. Estimation d’abondance des criquets (Orthoptera: Acrididae) dans les écosystèmes prairiaux. Annales de la Société entomologique de France. 48(3-4):397–406. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00379271.2012.10697787

Banerjee SK, Kevan DKM. 1960. A preliminary revision of the genus Atractomorpha Saussure, 1862 (Orthoptera: Acridoidea: Pyrgomorphidae). Treubia. 28:165-189.

Barataud J. 2005. Orthoptères et milieux littoraux. Influence de la gestion des habitats herbacés et enjeux pour la biodiversité. BTS Gestion des Espaces Naturels, Session 2003-2005. 86 pp.

Blummer P, Diemer M. 1996. The occurrence and consequences of grasshoppers herbivory in an alpine grassland, Swiss central Alps. Arctic and Alpine Research. 28(4):435–440. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/1551854

Braud Y, Franc A, Gay PE. 2014. Les acridiens des formations herbeuses de Madagascar. Rome: FAO. 134 pp.

Danner B, Joern JA. 2004. Development, growth, and egg production of Ageneotettix deorum (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in response to spider predation risk and elevated resource quality. Ecological Entomology. 29:1–-11.

De Grégorio R. 1987. Zonocerus variegatus (Orthoptera, Pyrgomorphidae): caractéristiques morphologiques et biométriques des larves des populations des saisons sèche et humide. Bulletin de la Société d’Histoire naturelle de Toulouse. 123:29–-44.

Default B. 2012. Biométrie des types des Caelifères de France (Orthoptera). 1. Définition des paramètres mesurés. 2. Mensurations chez les Tridactylidae, Tetrigidae, Pyrgomorphidae, Pamphagidae et Acrididae Calliptaminae. Matériaux orthoptériques et entomocénotiques. 17:21–56.

Duranton J-F, Launois M, Launois-Luong M-H, Lecoq M, Rachadi T. 1987. Guide antiacridien du Sahel. Paris: Ministère de la Coopération. 344 pp.

Duranton JF, Lecoq M. 1990. Le criquet pèlerin au Sahel. Collection Acridologie Opérationelle 6, Montpellier: CIRAD/PRIFAS. 183 pp.

Fomekong A, Messi J, Kekeunou S, Tchuenguem-fohouo FN, Tamesse JL. 2008. Entomofauna of Non-commercial use only Morphology, development and reproduction of Atractomorpha acutipennis Cucumeropsis mannii Naudin, its impact on plant yield and some aspects of the biology of Dacus bivitattus (Diptera: Tephritidae). African Journal of agricultural Research. 3(5):363–370.

Gillot C. 2005. Entomology. 3rd Edition. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer. XVIII + 832 pp.

Hernández F, Presa JJ. 1984. Sobre la biología de Eyprepocnemis plorans (Charpentier, 1825) (Orthoptera: Acrididae), en la huerta de Murcia (S.E. España). Boletín de Sanidad Vegetal. Plagas. 10:245–249.

Hochkirch A, Gröning J. 2008. Sexual size dimorphism in Orthoptera. Journal of Orthoptera Research. 17(2):189–196. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1665/1082-6467-17.2.189

Joern A, Gainess B. 1990. Population dynamics and regulation in grasshoppers In: Chapman R F., Joern A, editors. Biology of grasshoppers. New York: John Wiley and Sons. p. 415-482

Joly P. 1968. Endocrinologie des insectes. Paris: Masson & Cie. 344 pp.

Kekeunou S. 2007. Influence des différents types de Végétations de Jachères Sur les populations de Zonocerus variegatus (Linné, 1758) (Orthoptera : Pyrgomorphidae) dans la zone de Forêt humide du Sud-Cameroun. Thèse de Doctorat/Ph. D. Université de Yaoundé I. 220 pp.

Kekeunou S, Mbeng D, Oumarou-ngoute C, Wandji AC. 2015. Morphology, development and reproduction of Pyrgomorpha vignaudii (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae). Entomological Research 45:58–70. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1748-5967.12097

Kekeunou S, Wandji A C, Oumarou-ngoute C. 2018. Morphology, post-embryonic development and reproduction of Taphronota ferruginea (Fabricius, 1781) (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae). Tropical Zoology. 31(2):68–84. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03946975.2018.1445686

Kekeunou S, Weise S, Messi J. 2010. Effect of 13 single and eight mixed host plant diets on survival, post-embryonic development and morphology of variegated grasshopper in laboratory. Entomological Research. 40:8–17. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-5967.2009.00256.x

Kuitcha D, Kangangk BV, Syha NL, Lienoug, Ekodeck GE. 2008. Water supply, sanitation and health risks in Yaoundé, Cameroon. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. 2(11):379–386.

Launois M. 1996. Veille Acridienne et affrontement hommes criquets au Sahel. Sécheresse. 7:83–85.

Launois-Luong MH, Lecoq M. 1989. Vade-mecum des criquets du Sahel. Collection acridologie opérationnelle no 5. Paris: PRIFAS. 82 pp.

Mariottini Y, Wysiecki ML, Wange CL. 2011. Postembryonic development and food consumption of Dichroplus elongates Giglio-Tos and Dichroplus maculipennis (Blanchard) (Orhtoptera: Acrididae: Melanoplinae) under laboratory conditions. Neotropical Entomology. 40(2): 190–196. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1519-566X2011000200006

Mestre J. 1988. Les Acridiens des formations herbeuses d’Afrique de l’Ouest. Montpellier: CIRADPRIFAS. 330 pp. DOI: https://doi.org/10.19182/agritrop/00081

Mestre J, Chiffaud J. 2006. Catalogue et atlas des acridiens de l’Afrique de l’Ouest. 350 pp.

Nkwala ALD, Talla FS, Ngoute CO, Kekeunou S, Wandji AC, Nzike MM, Noutchom AS, Mbida M. 2019. Morphology, development, and reproduction of Eyprepocnemis plorans ibandana (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in South Cameroon rainforests. Journal of Orthoptera Research. 28(2):145–154. https://doi.org/10.3897/jor.28.33370 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/jor.28.33370

Olivry JC. 1986. Fleuves et rivières du Cameroun. Monographies hydrologiques ORSTOM. Vol. 9. 781 pp.

Ottes D. 1994. Orthoptera Species File. 3:31.

Paraïso AA, Douro-Kpindu OK, Onzo A, Thomas-Odjo A, Ahomagnon V, Obognon F, Godonou I. 2012. The acridoidea of Benin (Orthoptera): an annoted checklist. International Journal of Science and Advanced Technology. 2(10):22–52.

Popov GB. 1989. Les larves des criquets du Sahel. Chatham: Overseas Development Natural Resources Institute. v + 158 pp.

Roy R. 2003. Les Acridiens du Nimba et de sa région. In: Lamotte M. Roy R. editors. Le peuplement animal du mont Nimba (Guinée, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia). Mémoires du Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle. 190:311–391.

Santoir C, Bopda A. 1995. Atlas régional Sud-Cameroun. Paris: Office de la Recherche Scientifique et Technique Outre-Mer. 53 pp.

Sai-Keung L. 1973. The postembryonic development of Atractomorpha sinensis Bolivar with particular reference to the phallic structures (Orthoptera: Acridoide: Pyrgomorphidae). Master of Science, McGill University Montreal. 179 pp.

Schmidt GH, Friedel K, Rembold H. 1996. Studies on the size of corpora allata, the juvenile hormone III titre in the haemolymph and growth of terminal oocytes throughout three consecutive gonadotropic cycles in Eyprepocnemis plorans (Orthopteroidea: Caelifera: Acrididae). European Journal of Entomology. 93:131–144.

Schultner E, Blanchet E, Pagès C, Lehmann GUC, lecoq M. 2012. Development, reproductive capacity and diet of the Mediterranean grasshopper Arcyptera brevipennis vicheti Harz 1975 (Orthoptera: Caelifera: Acrididae: Gomphocerinae). Annales de la Société entomologique de France. 48(3-4):299–307.

Tu X, Zehua Z, Dan LJ, Guangchun CAO, Zhihong LI, Song GAO, Xiangqun N, Guangjun W. 2012. Growth, development and daily change in body weight of Locusta migratoria manilensis (Orthoptera: Acrididae) nymphs at different temperatures. Journal of Orthoptera Research. 21(2):133–140. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1665/034.021.0201

Uvarov BP. 1966. Grasshoppers and locusts. A handbook of general acridology. Volume 1. Cambridge: University Press. 475 pp.

Whitman DW. 2008. The significance of body size in the Orthoptera: a review. Journal of Orthoptera Research. 17:117–134. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1665/1082-6467-17.2.117

Kekeunou, S. ., Mbadjoun-Nziké, M. ., Wandji, A. C. ., Soh-Baleba, S. B. ., Djomnang-Nkwala, A. L. ., Simeu-Noutchom, A. ., Oumarou-Ngoute, C. ., Um-Nyobe, P. C. A. ., Guiadem-Simo, L. G. ., & Akono, P. N. . (2020). Morphology, development and reproduction of <em>Atractomorpha acutipennis</em> (Guérin-Méneville, 1844) (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae). Tropical Zoology, 33(3). https://doi.org/10.4081/tz.2020.81