Biology of grasshopper

Biological Classification
Common name Grasshopper

Kingdom Animalia

Phylum Arthropoda

Subphylum Hexapoda

Class Insecta

Order Orthoptera

Suborder caelifera

Family acrididae

Subfamily melanoplinae

Genus Melanoplus

Species Melanplus differentialis

Introduction:

There are many different types of grasshoppers that vary in size and color; grasshoppers are
usually shade of brown, green or black. But grasshoppers also share some characteristics, no matter the
species. Grasshoppers have varying impacts on the environment their dropping enrich the soil by
returning organic matter to the earth.so for that grasshoppers are generally sometimes harmless but are
harmful when they appear in a large number in an specific area, they have long been a favorite insect for
children, who like to catch them and keep them in jars to observe. Grasshoppers are also used as food
source especially larger ones which can be easily caught and hunt.

There are Two types of Grasshoppers:

1.  Long-Horned Grasshoppers - Long-Horned Grasshoppers have Antennae, or 'Feelers', about the
same length as the body.

2.  Short-Horned Grasshoppers - Short-Horned Grasshoppers have Antennae less than half the length
of the body. Short-Horned Grasshoppers are often called Locusts, particularly when they migrate.

Short-Horned Grasshoppers are the one's which because huge crop damage when they migrate in huge
swarms in search of food, devouring virtually every green plant in their path. Long-Horned Grasshoppers
do comparatively little damage.

Body characters:

The body region of grasshopper is divided into three regions head, thorax and
abdomen. They have sex legs two pairs of wings, the wings and legs are present in thoracic region and
a pair of antennae and a pair of compound eye are presents in head. Abdomen consists the heart,
reproductive and most of the digestive system. The body is covered with a hard exoskeleton
Grasshoppers usually are a shade of brown, green or black. They have large hind legs that help them
jump long distances .grasshoppers breath through spiracles which are present in the abdomen each
segment of abdomen consist a pair of spiracles. Adult grasshoppers also have two sets of wings, with
the forewings being slender and the hindwings large. These insects also have large eyes in relation to
their head and short antennae. Their adult ranges from 4 to 4.5 inches long. The short front legs are
used to hold or catch prey and to walk.

Life Cycle

A female grasshopper lays egg pods in the ground after digging a small hole with her abdomen. The size,
shape and number of eggs contained in each pod differ depending on the species. Grasshoppers
typically lay their eggs in warm weather. If the eggs are laid in cold weather, some can become dormant
until the weather is favorable for them to mature. Female grasshoppers lay an average of 200 eggs
during their lifetimes.

Egg - The life cycle of Grasshoppers starts from the egg stage. By mid-summer, the Female Grasshoppers
lays the fertilized eggs in the form of Egg Pods, usually more than ten, either in the sand or among leaf
litters. Each Egg Pod consists of about 10-300 eggs that are rice shaped. The eggs remain dormant in
autumn and winter seasons, for almost ten months. By spring or early summer, the eggs hatch into
Nymphs (offspring).

Nymph - Immediately after hatching, the young Nymphs start feeding on soft and succulent plant
foliage’s. Nymphs are miniature versions of Adult Grasshoppers, except that they are light in color and
do not possess Wings. Nymphs undergo 5-6 moults and change their form and structure, before
becoming adults. This Moulting process is known as 'Incomplete Metamorphosis'. The Nymphal Stage
may last for a period of 5-10 days, based on the Species and the weather condition, especially
temperature and humidity. As the Nymphs moult, their size increases and wing pads progressively
develop on the Thorax portion of the body.

Adult - After 25-30 days, the Wings are developed completely and the Nymphs mature into adults. By
the time, an egg matures into an adult; the Grasshopper is about eleven months old.

The life span of Grasshoppers is about 12 months. Studies have found out that the survival rate of
Nymphs after hatching is about 50 percent, as chances are high that they may be eaten by predators like
birds, rodents and lizards. This way, Grasshoppers play a major role in the effective functioning of an
ecosystem, by providing food for many predators in the food chain. A Swarm of Grasshoppers, also
known as Locusts, might cause severe damages to the crops, affecting the crop yield.

Nature of damage:
Grasshoppers mostly eat plants. Some species live on a host plant and eat its leaves, flowers, stems and
seeds. Other grasshopper species eat what they find on the ground, such as pieces of leaves and
flowers, seeds or dead insects. But grasshoppers can be picky about their food. They often sample foods
before they begin feeding. Normally, grasshoppers choose items that supply them with the right types
of amino acids, sugars and vitamins. Both adults and nymphs cause damage by chewing on the leaves
and stems of plants, and if infestations are severe, may defoliate entire fields . It is estimated
that grasshoppers consume up to 25 percent of the available forage in the western United States
annually they are herbivores, grasshoppers feed on grasses and the leaves and stems of plants. The
symptom of grasshopper damage is much the same as for other gnawing insects: ragged and chewed
holes in the leaves, stems, and fruit of plants. ... In some areas, up to 25 percent of crops  are routinely
lost to grasshoppers

Control:

1. A number of natural solutions can help control grasshoppers:

2. Tilth the ground. ...
3. Eliminate weeds even in areas that don't have garden plants to reduce the availability of food
for newly hatched nymphs.
4. Encourage natural predators. ...
5. Cover vulnerable plants with a cheesecloth or crop cover to protect them.
 6. Apply garlic spray

To get rid of grasshoppers, as well as other common garden pests, apply a good dose of strong garlic.
Making a spray is the best way to apply the mix to the plants without damaging the vegetable plants or
flower buds. These organic sprays will sit in a cool, dark and dry place for up to two weeks
Grasshoppers also hate the smell and taste of garlic. Planting deterrent plants like calendula or cilantro
around the edge of your garden can help keep them away. Professional gardeners use cilantro around
the edge of their gardens.

Introduction
Name Atta ullah

Roll no 17-BAC-3160

Semester 6th

Department entomology

Subject agricultural pests and their management

R\Teacher Sir Azhar Shafique

Name of assignment
Identification of a Biology

Balochistan Agriculture College Quetta