Published December 1, 2008 | Version v1
Taxonomic treatment Open

Heteracris littoralis Found

Authors/Creators

Description

19. Heteracris littoralis (Rambur, 1838)

Diagnosis: This species is very similar to H annulosus in general appearance but can be separated by its tegmina often with large dark spots forming bands apically and hind tibia light reddish voilet basally.

Habitats: This species is found sheltering in bushes. Most records indicate that it is herbivorous. The species seem to be attracted to barsim plots and prefer as food. Vegetable crops are also attracted. Gentry (1965) reported as one of the most important grasshoppers in Egypt.

Material examined: Al Shati region: Agar, 1 ♂, on dry grass, 29.x.1992; Brack, 1 ♂, on grass, 3.xii.1992; Brack Agric. Project, 2 ♂, on vegetable, 8.iii.1992; Mahruqah, 1 ♀, on alfalfa, 6.viii.1992; Qardah, 1 ♂, on barley, 15.xii.1992; Qirah, 4 ♂, 2 ♀, on alfalfa, 12.xi.1992; Ququm, 1 ♂, on alfalfa, 1 ♂, on mint, 24.x.1992; Tamzawah, 9 ♂, 7 ♀, on alfalfa & grape, 4.xi.1992; tarut, 1 ♂, on onion, 15.xii.1992; wanzarik, 2 ♂, 1 ♀, on barley & alfalfa, 13.iv.1993. Murzuk region: Al Qatrun, 5 3male, 5 ♀, on alfalfa & egg plant, 2.xi.1992; Ed Disah, 1 ♂, 2 ♀, on alfalfa, 27.iv.1993; Fungul, 1 male, on wild grass, 27.iv.1993. Ghat region: Al Awaynat, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, on barley, 20.vii.1995; Al barkat, 3 ♂, 4 ♀, on mint & onion, 19.vii.1995. Wadi Haya region: Al Abyad, 3 ♂, 1 ♀, on grass & grape, 2.xi.1992; Ben hareth, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, on onion, 16.xi.1992; Khalayf, 2 ♂, on alfalfa 7 Wild grass, 16.xi.1992; Tanamah, 1 ♀, on pomegranate, 7.xii.1992.

Localities: Cyrenaica: Bengasi, dernah, Hatiet Fredga, Oasi di Giarabub; Tripolitania: Ain Zara, Anfang august, Ghirza (Chersa), Gebel T’kut, Scegga, Tripoli, Umgebung; Fezzan: Agar, alAbyad, Al awaynat, Ben Hareth, Brack, Ed Disah, El Barakat, Fungul, Ghodwa, Khalayf, Mahruqah, Qardah, Qirah, Ququm, Samnu, Sebha, Tamzawah, Tanahmah, Tarut, Wanzarik.

Distribution: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Hoggar, sahara, Nigeria, Sudan, Somaliland, Cape Verde Is., S. Europe, S.W. Asia, Azerbaijan, Southern Kazakhstan, Northern Kara-Kalpakia, Iberian Peninsula.

Remarks: This species has been reported from different parts of Libya by Werner (1908), Ghigi (1915), Salfi (1925, 1928), Giglio-Tos (1923) and Capra (1929). Ajaili et al. (1989) reported it from Fezzan.

Notes

Published as part of Usmani, Mohammad Kamil, 2008, Studies on Acridoidea (Orthoptera) with some new records from Fezzan, Libya, pp. 1-41 in Zootaxa 1946 on page 22

Files

Files (2.8 kB)

Name Size Download all
md5:099c4bb5098a08a36b50dc8b50dca306
2.8 kB Download

System files (20.7 kB)

Name Size Download all
md5:4c63e4dea04c92d6dbe0fe868fc54c2c
20.7 kB Download

Linked records

Additional details

References

  • Gentry, J. W. (1965) Crop insects of Northeast Africa- Southwest Asia. Handbook of Agricultural Research Services, US. no. 273, 2 l 0 pp.
  • Werner, F. (1908) Zur kenntniss der Orthopteren-fauna von Tripolis und Barka, Nach der sammlung von Dr. Bruno Klaptocz im Jahre 1906. Zoologische Jahrbucher Systematik, 27, 83 - 143; 123, 363 - 404.
  • Giglio-Tos, F. (1923) Missione Zoologica Dr. E. Festa in Cirenaica. Bolletino Museo Zoologia Anatomia Comparee Torino, 38 (4), 1 - 7.
  • Capra, F. (1929) Risultati Zoologici della Missione inviata dalla R. Societa geografica italiana per 1 esplorazione dell' oasi di Giarabub (1926 - 7). Ortotteri e Dermatteri. Annal idel Museo Storia naturale Genova, 53, 122 - 159.
  • Ajaili, A. A., Usmani, M. K. & Furet, I. (1989) Survey of grasshoppers and locusts (Orthoptera: Acridoidea) in Al Shati, Libya. Indian Journal of Systematic Entomology, 6 (1), 1 - 17.