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Oviposition by the African migratory locust, Locusta migratoria migratorioides , in a crop environment in South Africa
Author(s) -
Price R. E.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
entomologia experimentalis et applicata
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.765
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1570-7458
pISSN - 0013-8703
DOI - 10.1111/j.1570-7458.1991.tb02409.x
Subject(s) - acrididae , migratory locust , locust , biology , orthoptera , crop , acridoidea , habitat , agronomy , pest analysis , orange (colour) , ecology , botany , horticulture
Oviposition by the African migratory locust, Locusta migratoria migratorioides (Orthoptera: Acrididae), was studied in maize and wheat crops on the Orange Free State Highveld. Maize was shown to be the most important oviposition habitat with peak laying taking place in autumn and early winter when highest pod densities were recorded. Laying was mainly concentrated along the middle of the crop interrows in maize and within clearings in the wheat crop. Despite the uniform layout of these crops, the distribution of egg pods was found to be aggregated. Non‐reproductive behaviour, such as locust aggregation, basking and feeding, as well as environmental factors appeared to influence the distribution of egg pods in these crops. Secondary selection for optimum soil moisture and compaction on the laying site enhanced the aggregation of pods.