Ecomorphometrical studies on occasionally gregarious acridoids

Grasshoppers belong to the order orthoptera which includes the deadly destructive locusts. It is one of the largest orders of insect having over 17,250 species known globally and more than 900 species reported from India. These grasshoppers constitute a serious insect pest problem in the plains of north India. The species under study (Choroedocus illustris Walker and Oedaleus abruptus Thunberg) belong to the suborder Caelifera, superfamily Acridoidea and family Acrididae. The present study based upon experiments carried out in the laboratory under controlled conditions. In addition to laboratory studies, population studies were carried out in the field to get a broad picture of the seasonal variations. The biological part deals with life history and the successive stages of development under the influence of different environmental condition and their impact observed as behavioural changes including cannibalism. The various natural enemies like mantids and mites etc. observed during regular collection trips. The morphometrics and chromatic changes are used here as gadgets to evaluate the impact of different environmental conditions on the acridids and their possible gregariousness.