An addition to Acridinae (Orthoptera: Acrididae) fauna with three new records and spatiotemporal behavior from Azad Jammu and Kashmir

Abstract

Orthoptera are considered one of the most important group of phytophagous insects. Numerous individuals from orthopteran group are in direct competition with vertebrate grazers and considered as a serious pest of forage crop. The present study was conducted to explore the biodiversity and spatiotemporal distribution of subfamily Acridine from different localities of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Specimen were collected with the help of Aerial net. During this survey eight species were recorded in three genera: Acrida exaltata, A. gigente, A. turrita; Phlaeoba tenebrosa, P. infumata, and Ceracris versicolor, C. deflorate, C. nigricornis. of these, three species under the genus Ceracris are recorded for the first time from Azad Jammu & Kashmir. In the case of spatiotemporal behaviour, the maximum temporally population was observed in October. Overall, results suggest a possibality of acridid grasshoppers to contribute to the native communities and provides information about the biodiversity, and population dynamics of grasshoppers for future research to enhance the sustainable management of this major diverse pest. Information about distribution, morphometry, and the identification key to known genera and species are provided.