Rearing technique for Conocephalus longipennis (de Haan) (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae).

Rubia E.G.; Shepard B.M.

Rearing technique for Conocephalus longipennis (de Haan) (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae).

1988

Rubia E.G. | Shepard B.M.

The grasshopper Conocephalus longipennis common in ricefields is considered as predators, but it has been shown to attack rice, especially developing grains. It has also been observed to feed on rice foliage and flowers. As a predator, it attacks the eggs of rice bugs, stem borers, and leaffolders and the nymphs and adults of hoppers, leaffolders, and whorl maggots. To study its status as a predator or as a pest, a rearing method was needed. Field-collected adult C. longipennis were confined on 45-d-old TN1 rice plants, leaf sheaths bearing eggs were cut from rice plants and transferred to petri dishes lined with moist filter paper. Newly emerged first instar were transferred individually (to prevent cannibalism) to 15.0-cm test tubes (1.6 cm in diameter) and provided with southwestern corn borer diet. Third instar were transferred to 20.0 cm test tubes (2.5 cm in diameter) to complete nymphal development. Newly emerged adult males and females were confined in 30-x22- x52.4-cm rectangular mylar cages with separate petri dishes containing 2 g of corn borer diet and moist cotton on the bottom. The moist cotton provided water and served as a suitable substrate for oviposition. C. longipennis completed its life cycle from egg to adult in 142 to 182 d, with 80% survival. The corn borer diet was suitable for rearing the insect.

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