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Phase polymorphism in the red locust, Nomadacris septemfasciata (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in Madagascar

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2007

Alex Franc ,
Lalaina Rabesisoa ,
My Hanh Luong-Skovmand  and
Michel Lecoq
Alex Franc
Affiliation:
Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement, Campus International de Baillarguet, 34398, Montpellier, cedex 5, France
Lalaina Rabesisoa
Affiliation:
Centre National Antiacridien, BP 241, Tuléar, Madagascar
My Hanh Luong-Skovmand
Affiliation:
Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement, Campus International de Baillarguet, 34398, Montpellier, cedex 5, France
Michel Lecoq*
Affiliation:
Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement, Campus International de Baillarguet, 34398, Montpellier, cedex 5, France
*
*E-mail: lecoq@cirad.fr
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Abstract

Little is known about phase polymorphism in the red locust, Nomadacris septemfasciata (Serville) in Madagascar, despite its economic importance. Only solitary and transiens forms have been reported from the island earlier, but not the gregarious form. Important recent outbreaks have allowed for the studying of the phase polymorphism under experimental and field conditions. Morphometric differences (pronotum size and shape, and F/C and E/F ratios) were noted among hoppers and adults caged for several generations and at various densities, in a field laboratory. These criteria were later used to study adults collected in different areas between 1996 and 2002, from populations with various densities (<1000 to >25,000 imagos/ha). Morphometric measurements revealed that gregarious red locust populations have existed naturally in Madagascar and that these were erroneously classified as transiens forms. The upper threshold density for the solitary phase was estimated at 5000 adults/ha; beyond this limit, locusts develop either into transiens or into highly gregarious forms. The southern part of the island, known as a red locust outbreak area, has harboured gregarious phases despite previous reports that prevailing ecological conditions are not suitable for its complete phase transformation. Deforestation in the northern part of the island has probably led to new favourable biotopes for serious outbreaks and gregarious populations development.

Keywords

AcrididaelocustsNomadacris septemfasciatamorphometryphase polymorphismMadagascar
Type
Research Article
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 25 , Issue 3 , September 2005 , pp. 182 - 189
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 2005

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