LABORATORY STUDIES ON THE LIFE HISTORY OF NOMADACRZS GUTTULOSA (WALKER) (ORTHOPTERA ACRIDIDAE)

The spur‐throated locust Nomadacris guttulosa (Walker) was reared under laboratory conditions for the first time. Females were larger and heavier than males and had 1–3 additional instars. Eye stripe number was the most useful indicator of instar number. Male nymphs changed colour from green to brown on average 1 instar earlier than females. Ratios of adult hind femur length/head capsule width and fore wing lengthlhind femur length were independent of sex. The ratios obtained were similar to those expected of the extreme solitarious phase of other locusts. The duration of the nymphal stage decreased with temperature; 137 d at 24°C; 62 d at 31°C and 60 d at 32°/39°C. Food type had no effect except at 27°C and 35% relative humidity (RH), where first‐instar nymphs fed daily on cut wheat seedlings failed to survive, but did so on wheat growing in tubes. Under continuous illumination and 35–48% RH, oviposition commenced earlier at 32°/39°C than at 31°C.