مجلة جامعة الفاشر للعلوم التطبيقية - العدد الاول

1. Jfuas No.1 June 2013
105
Biology and Food Preference of Zonocerus variegates
(L.) On Different Types of Food Plant Species
By:
1-Ibrahim Abdel-Rahman Ibrahim Abdel/Fattah, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural
Resources, Department of Plant Protection, University of El fasher, Sudan
2-Elwasila Guddoura Mohammed, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Crop Protection,
University of Khartoum, Sudan.
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2. ‫اﻟﻔﺎﴍ‬ ‫ﺟﺎﻣﻌﺔ‬–‫ﻣﺠﻠﺔ‬‫اﻟﻌﻠﻮم‬‫اﻟﺘﻄﺒﻴﻘﻴﺔ‬–‫اﻟﻌﺪد‬‫اﻷول‬–‫ﻳﻮﻧﻴﻮ‬2013‫م‬
106
Abstract
This study was carried out in Darfur Region, during the period
(1999-2000). The objective was to study the feeding rate and food
preference of Zonocerus variegatus L. on different types of food
plant species and its possible distribution through the
seasonal water courses. The present study indicated that the
highest live weight was gained by the nymphs and adults when
fed on cassava, okra , caster and millets, whereas the lowest live
weight gaining’s were obtained when these stages were fed
on Ipomoea fistulas , Psidiumgua java, Calotropis procera and
Sorghum bicolor . The study also confirmed that I.fistulosa is not
suitable food for instars and adults growth and development. Though,
the dense concentration of mature adults on I.fistulosa for breeding
activities would provide appropriate conditions for applying suitable
control measures. Western Sudan was known since long ago as
drought victimized area, and that the menace of variegated
grasshopper is high in the potential Wades will complicate the
agricultural situation especially during scarce food production.
.Key words: Zonocerus variegate s(L.),Wade, pharmacophagous,
chemo-ecological.
Introduction
Mohammadain (1996) stated the first appearance of Zonocerus
variegates (L.) in Western Darfur State where an area of about
75190 hectare was infested by this serious insect pest. Since that time

3. Jfuas No.1 June 2013
107
the grasshopper was continuously endangering the whole agricultural
sector in Darfur region and migrating inward to infest new areas. The
pest is strictly polyphagous grasshopper with a wide range of food
acceptance. It does seem that the species alone can cause massive
losses on different crops grown along the wades. Although this
grasshopper has reached pest status very recently, yet its significant
damaging levels on the economically important cereal and
horticultural crops ranked it as one of most serious insect pest
currently existing in the whole region. Crops damaged included okra,
onion, Jews mallow, banana, lucerne, maize ,millet , sorghum,
mango, guava, lemon, cassava etc., besides other wild plant
species, along the banks of the major seasonal water courses (Wades)
and their tributaries in West Darfur (P.P.D.,1996).
The quite rich food ecology enabled the pest to become
established despite of the P.P.D. notable efforts to contain the
problem. In season (2001) the infested area was estimated to be 17800
hectare in Kebkabayia along Wade - Bari towards the East. Thus the
species was able to cover 89 klms. in length making its way deeper
into the Province (P.P.D.,2001).This work is aiming to study the
quantitative and qualitative effects of some food types on growth,
development and longevity of a selected stages of the exotic
grasshopper to specify its essential, non-essential and
pharmacophagous food plants. Expected results are assumed to
assess the behavioral factors that interact with nutritional factors to
affect pest population size .These in turn would have to ensure that

4. ‫اﻟﻔﺎﴍ‬ ‫ﺟﺎﻣﻌﺔ‬–‫ﻣﺠﻠﺔ‬‫اﻟﻌﻠﻮم‬‫اﻟﺘﻄﺒﻴﻘﻴﺔ‬–‫اﻟﻌﺪد‬‫اﻷول‬–‫ﻳﻮﻧﻴﻮ‬2013‫م‬
108
how could, the conventional classification of agricultural pests i.e.
minor , national, absence of vigilance and lack of knowledge would
have on the agricultural situation in the Sudan.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
To investigate the feeding rate and food preference of
Zonocerus variegates(L.), selected stages, the 4th
,5th
,6th
, instars and
new adults were tested under the laboratory conditions, season 2001.
Nymphs and adults each approximately in the same age after molting
and after fledging were collected randomly from the stock-culture
established from eggs brought from the field Figs. (1). These were
divided into four groups each of (10) individuals kept in a separate
plastic jars, plate ( 1 ).The tested groups were then starved for 24hrs,
following the method adopted by Mohammadain (1997) (when reared
tree locust nymphs).The tested groups were allowed next to feed on
specific host plants such as Manihot esculenta plates (2+3), Hibiscus
esculents, Psidium guajava, Ipomoea fistulas, Ricinus communis
,Calotropis procera ,pennisetum typhoideum and Sorghum bicolor .
Each group was replicated five (5) times on every tested host plant.
The following tests were carried out:
Faecal pellet test
The faecal pellets voided by the different stages during (24)
hours were collected carefully, dried up under shade on air dry-basis
and weighed by a sensitive electric balance i.e. Sartorius research.

5. Jfuas No.1 June 2013
109
Live weight test
Tested nymphs and new adults were weighed before and after
feeding by using a sensitive balance to calculate the live weight gained or
lost when fed on different food plants for (24)hours .
Dry matter tests
Fresh food plants were weighed before and after consumption by
different tested nymphs and new adults. Unconsumed fresh food
plants were collected, dried up under shade (to avoid thermal
decomposition), on air dry – basis and weighed by a sensitive balance.
Dry matter weights obtained after consumption were subtracted from
the dry matter weights of food before consumption. This test was
aimed to calculate the real amount of food consumed by the different
stages of Zonocerus variegates (L.) on the dry matter basis.
The above three tests were compiled to study the effects of food
plants on live weight, food efficiency, preference and non preference
and feeding rates. The stages from the 4th
stage onwards were
selected, because, they are manageable and easy to deal with
compared to the restless early stages specially when using the
sensitive balance. Also practicable and reliable data can be obtained
from small but effective group which serves the purpose of the test.
Effects of Ipomoea fistulosa on nymphs development
To test the effects of Ipomoea fistulosa on the survival
percentages and development periods of Zonocerus variegates (L.)
nymphs; the following experiment was carried out:

6. ‫اﻟﻔﺎﴍ‬ ‫ﺟﺎﻣﻌﺔ‬–‫ﻣﺠﻠﺔ‬‫اﻟﻌﻠﻮم‬‫اﻟﺘﻄﺒﻴﻘﻴﺔ‬–‫اﻟﻌﺪد‬‫اﻷول‬–‫ﻳﻮﻧﻴﻮ‬2013‫م‬
110
In season 2001,twenty (20) 2-days old 4th
instars were selected for
rearing to avoid the risk of dying because 1st
-3rd
instars , sometimes
do not thrive, when fed on certain food plants i.e. Cassava until its
nymphs has reached the 4th
instars and accordingly the period spent
for growth and development was measured. (Pans Manual, 1986,
Steedman, 1990 and Owueme1994). Instars were divided into (5)
groups each containing (4) nymphs was kept in a separate rearing jar,
Plate (1) and was reared under the laboratory conditions on pure
leaves of Ipomoea fistulosa. The jars set - up, rearing and
observations were made all through.
RESULTS
The feeding rate and food preference of Zononcerus variegates
(L) nymphs and new adults were examined on (8) different food plants
under the laboratory conditions. These plants were abbreviated as
shown below:
1- Manihot exculenta (M. e.)
2- Hibiscus exculentus (H. e.)
3- Psidium guajava (P. g.)
4- Ipomoea fistulosa (I. f.)
5- Ricinus communis (R. c.)
6- Calotropis procera (C. p.)
7- Pennnisetum typhoideum (P. t.)
8- Sorghum bicolor (S. b.)

7. Jfuas No.1 June 2013
111
Results showed that some food plants i.e., M. e., H. e. and P. t.
were preferred and were suitable for development where high live
weights were gained. On the other hand some other food plants were
not or less preferred i.e. P. g., I. f., CP and S. b. where less live
weights gained or lost.
Results obtained comprised mean dry weights of different food
plants consumed, mean dry weight of faecal pellets voided and the
live weights gained or lost by the different stages fed on the tested
food plants listed above. Data was compiled to calculate the food
which was obtained by the formula:-
Food efficiency % = Net food x100
Initial food consumed
Net food = Dry food consumed - Dry faecal pellets
Results obtained were presented as follows:
On the food plant (M. e.), the mean dry weight of food
consumed was: 28.414+ 6.127, 37.322+16.540, 79.420+ 25.768 and
106.24.217, the mean dry weight of faecal pellet voided
was:7.992+1.592, 18.422+3.689,34.428+9.754 and 43.962+11.297,
the mean live weight gained or lost was:16.860+ 5.670, 54.944+
13.218, 110.124+ 29.643 and 150.632+29.088 mgs food efficiency
was: 71.94, 56.65 and 58.53% for the 4th
, 5th
, instars and the new adult
respectively.
On the food plant( H. e.),the mean dry weight of food consumed
was:30.914+27.305, 51.316+25.9, 113.410+33.345 and
140.518+27.584,the mean dry weight of faecal pellets voided

8. ‫اﻟﻔﺎﴍ‬ ‫ﺟﺎﻣﻌﺔ‬–‫ﻣﺠﻠﺔ‬‫اﻟﻌﻠﻮم‬‫اﻟﺘﻄﺒﻴﻘﻴﺔ‬–‫اﻟﻌﺪد‬‫اﻷول‬–‫ﻳﻮﻧﻴﻮ‬2013‫م‬
112
was:6.438+1.089,16.968+2.431,46.068+4.686 and 39.190+8.818,the
mean live weight gained or lost was; 14.566+5.809, 35.014+15.333,
109.342+ 20.354 and 78.694+17.082 mg, food efficiency was:
79.174+66.934, 59.379 and 72.110 for the 4th
, 5th
, 6th
instars and the
new adult, respectively.
On the food plant (I. f.), the mean dry weight of food consumed
was: 5.072 ± o.109, 1o.344 ± 1.643 , 17.662 ± 1.191and 35.564 ±
4.396 the mean dry weight of faecal pellets voided was: 2.952 ±
1.195, 7.414 ± 3.322, 14.114 ± 4.860 and 17.916 ± 8.882, the mean
live weight gained or lost was: 7.566 ± 11.133, 1.568 ± 14.620, 1.465
± 17.905, and 20.008 ± 40.074 mg, food efficiency was: 41.798,
28.325, 20.088 and 49.623% for the 4th
, 5th
, 6th
, and the new adult
respectively.
On the food plant (C. p.), the mean dry weight of food consumed was:
16.452 ± 8.791, 31.964 ± 3.689 and 41.566 ± 13.820, the mean dry
weight of faecal pellet voided was: 6.264 ± 2.605, 12.622 ± 2.179 and
17.344 ± 6.175, the mean live weight or lost was: 1.75 ± 7.419, 5.776
± 30.111 and 4.048 ± 31.623 mg, food efficiency was: 61.925, 60.511
and 58.273% for the 4th
, 5th
, 6th
, and the new adult respectively.
On the food plant (P. t.), the mean dry weight of food consumed
was: 29.098 ± 12.965, 43.652 ± 14.853 and 56.084 ± 11.335, the mean
dry weight of faecal pellet voided was: 14.738 ± 4.483, 24.514 ± 3.67
and 29.498 ± 3.560, the mean live weight gained or lost was: 18.984 ±
15.529, 30.064 ± 9.749 and 4.504 ± 18.187 mg, food efficiency was:

9. Jfuas No.1 June 2013
113
50.840, 43.842 and 47.403% for the 4th
, 5th
, 6th
, and the new adult
respectively.
On the food plant (S. b.), the mean dry weight of food consumed was:
16.724 ± 3.487, 22.388 ± 9.989 and 34.566 ± 8.175, the mean dry
weight of faecal pellet voided was: 11.994 ± 1.403, 16.294 ± 4.526
and 23.23 ± 7.231, the mean live weight gained or lost was: 14.632 ±
15.223, 27.014 ± 14.563 and 14.458 ± 19.014 mg, food efficiency
was: 28.282, 27.219 and 32.795% for the 4th
, 5th
, 6th
, and the new
adult respectively.
Effects of Ipomoea fistulosa on nymphs development
The effects of Impoea fistulosa on the survival percentage and
developmental period of different nymph instars from 4th
instars to
adult emergence were presented in Figs. (3) and (4).
Results obtained showed that the prolonged feeding periods of
nymphs on Ipomoea fistulosa resulted in adverse effects on their
biology. The percent mortality of nymph instars was: 15 %, 15%
and10% for the 4th
, 5th
and 6th
nymph stages respectively. The 83.33%
survival instars molted into adult stage after having passed through
(5) nymph instars and the rest (16.67%) after having passed
through(6) nymph instars Fig.(5).
The developmental periods of the 4th
, 5th
and 6th
instars were
34.76 ± 16.98, 42.8 ± 10.67 and 4.5 ± .071 days respectively. Adult
longevity was ranged from1 - 14 days were all of them died before
reaching maturity. Growth up normality were not seen but, the

10. ‫اﻟﻔﺎﴍ‬ ‫ﺟﺎﻣﻌﺔ‬–‫ﻣﺠﻠﺔ‬‫اﻟﻌﻠﻮم‬‫اﻟﺘﻄﺒﻴﻘﻴﺔ‬–‫اﻟﻌﺪد‬‫اﻷول‬–‫ﻳﻮﻧﻴﻮ‬2013‫م‬
114
colours of both instars and the new adults were changed into pale
yellow, small in size and the growth was retarded or delayed.
%survival
Figure.1 Survival percentage of the different instars of Z.variegates (L)
reared on I. fistulosa under the laboratory conditions
Figure.2.Mean duration of the different instars of the Z.variegatus (L)
reared on Ipomea fistulosa under the laboratory conditions.
Meanduration(days)
Ϭ
ϱ
ϭϬ
ϭϱ
ϰƚŚ ŝŶƐƚĂƌ ϱƚŚ ŝŶƐƚĂƌ ϲƚŚ ŝŶƐƚĂƌ
Ϭ
ϱ
ϭϬ
ϭϱ
ϮϬ
Ϯϱ
ϯϬ
ϯϱ
ϰϬ
ϰϱ
ϰƚŚ ŝŶƐƚĂƌ ϱ ƚŚ ŝŶƐƚĂƌ ϲƚŚ ŝŶƐƚĂƌ

11. Jfuas No.1 June 2013
115
%Fledging
Figure 3.fledging percentage of Z .variegatus completed development
through 5-6 instars when reared on Ipomoea fistulas under the
laboratory conditions.
Ϭ
ϱϬ
ϭϬϬ
ϰƚŚŝŶƐƚĂƌ
ϲƚŚŝŶƐƚĂƌ

12. ‫اﻟﻔﺎﴍ‬ ‫ﺟﺎﻣﻌﺔ‬–‫ﻣﺠﻠﺔ‬‫اﻟﻌﻠﻮم‬‫اﻟﺘﻄﺒﻴﻘﻴﺔ‬–‫اﻟﻌﺪد‬‫اﻷول‬–‫ﻳﻮﻧﻴﻮ‬2013‫م‬
116
Plate (1) Rearing jars
Plate (2)

13. Jfuas No.1 June 2013
117
Plate (3)
plates 2+3 show two species of Cassava used for rearing Z. Variegatus

14. ‫اﻟﻔﺎﴍ‬ ‫ﺟﺎﻣﻌﺔ‬–‫ﻣﺠﻠﺔ‬‫اﻟﻌﻠﻮم‬‫اﻟﺘﻄﺒﻴﻘﻴﺔ‬–‫اﻟﻌﺪد‬‫اﻷول‬–‫ﻳﻮﻧﻴﻮ‬2013‫م‬
118
Discussion
Results indicated that, Manihot esculenta (M. e.), Hibiscus
esculentus (H. e.), Ricinus communis (R. c.) and Pennisetumty
phoideum (P. t.) are the Preferred food plants and suitable for
development. The highest live weight gained after 24 hours among all
tested food plants is obtained from cassava (M. e.). This finding
agrees with Hill (1981), Boppre and Fischer (1994). This finding also
strongly supports the results obtained under the laboratory
conditions, when nymphs from the 4th
, instars onwards have
successfully completed their development up to fledging, maturity and
reproduction purely on cassava. Okra (H. e.) ranked second in terms
of live weight gaining and it was proved to be suitable as nutritional
food during instars rearing and field observations. Caster (R. c.)
ranked third in terms of live weight gaining, though Hill (1981)
reported this plant as an alternative food for this pest. However,
millet (P. t.),although a fourth in terms of live weight gaining ,
yet it was proved to be a suitable food plant enabling development
of instars when used as a mixed food. This evidence confirms Hill
(1981) who reported that, the finger millets is essential food for Z.
varigates (L.).
On the other hand tested food plants, I. fistulosa, P. guajava, C.
procera and S. bicolor proved to be less or not preferred food plants
where the lowest live weights were gained or lost when stages fed

15. Jfuas No.1 June 2013
119
on. The negative results indicate that tested stages have lost their live
weights probably due to adverse effects of the plant constituents.
Generally this result is comparable with Tamu and Modder
(1996), although they used other different plant species except
cassava. Linking the results of this study with that obtained from the
field, apparently, the occurrence of certain plant species in the pest
habitats would eventually have effect on its survival and abundance.
In this sense, cassava the main food plant which is highly required by
the pest is currently grown at different wadies i.e. Wadi-Rati south of
El Ginenia. Okra the popular food plant is grown at a wide scale in all
wadies of Darfur, can form a second choice for the pest in the absence
of cassava. Even in the absence of the two essential food plants
coexist, the chance of its survival, development, reproduction is high
due to its polyphagus behavior. Accordingly their harmful effects to
farmers are great.
Effects of I. fistuolosa on nymphs development
Results of this test indicated that I. fistulosa is not suitable food
plant for rearing Z.variegatus (L.) nymphs .The percent mortality of
nymph instars was 15%, 15% and 10%for the 4th
, 5th
and 6th
nymph
stages respectively. The developmental period of the 4th
, 5th
and 6th
,
instars was 34.76 ± 16.98, 42.8 ± 10.67 and 4.5 ± o.71 days
respectively. Generally growth is retarded and adult longevity was
ranged 1-14 days where all of them died before maturity. Like
certain other noxious plants, I.fistulosa is known to cause incidence

16. ‫اﻟﻔﺎﴍ‬ ‫ﺟﺎﻣﻌﺔ‬–‫ﻣﺠﻠﺔ‬‫اﻟﻌﻠﻮم‬‫اﻟﺘﻄﺒﻴﻘﻴﺔ‬–‫اﻟﻌﺪد‬‫اﻷول‬–‫ﻳﻮﻧﻴﻮ‬2013‫م‬
120
of poisoning in domestic animals (Goats), Abdel-Hadi (1987). Z
.variegatus (L.) was the unique grasshopper feeds on I. fistulosa along
the Wa I. fistulosa Wadi.
I. fistulosa was considered to be not a suitable food plant for
grasshoppers (Chapman et al, 1986) due to its toxicity. Generally,
when rearing instars of Z. variegates (L.), the need for essential food
is considered to be an important factor for successful development.
However, a complete diet containing all required nutrients is rarely
found in one plant species. Apparently very few plants including
citrus and cassava fulfill the nutritional requirements for good survival
of the grasshopper (Boppre and Fischer 1994). As the pest exhibits
polyphagous feeding habits, a complete diet is usually secured from
several food sources in nature. Hence, instars appear to have a mixed
food for proper development. Abdel-Hadi (1987) identified the
alkaloid Ergometrine from I. fistuolosa extracts which probably plays
a similar role as the Payrolidizin alkaloids (PAs) that extracted from
Chromolema odorata. Therefore the improper nymph development
on I. fistulosa appears to be due to the effect of toxic alkaloids and the
fact that nymphs were fed on a single food source.
The ability of some instars to complete development on I.
fistulosa can be explained by the fact that, nymphs would have
benefited from the nutrients when those were fed on a mixed food
plant initially and stored in their bodies during the early stages of
development (1st -
3rd instars
) . This was then supported by nutrients

17. Jfuas No.1 June 2013
121
found in I. fistulosa leaves. However, poor performance was obtained
when Z. variegates (L.) nymphs fed on C. odorata.
Continuous feeding increased the dose of toxins to become lethal,
although tolerance appeared among stages (i.e.4th
stage).
Results of this test confirmed that 4th
instars have got a high
survival abilities to thrive and complete development on I. fistulosa,
although it is not a suitable food. In the absence of essential food
sources, this bush can temporary serve this grasshopper until booming
food situations prevails. As this noxious plant remain unconsumed by
many animals, thus it would constitute a potential food source for the
pest in fallow lands during the dry conditions. Further investigation is
needed on the chemo-ecological relationship between Z. variegatus
(L.) and the bush plant, I .fistulosa.

18. ‫اﻟﻔﺎﴍ‬ ‫ﺟﺎﻣﻌﺔ‬–‫ﻣﺠﻠﺔ‬‫اﻟﻌﻠﻮم‬‫اﻟﺘﻄﺒﻴﻘﻴﺔ‬–‫اﻟﻌﺪد‬‫اﻷول‬–‫ﻳﻮﻧﻴﻮ‬2013‫م‬
122
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Boppre, M. and Fischer, O.W.(1984) Zonocerus and Chromolaena
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end.), London,
Overseas Development Administration, Natural Research Institute,
204pp.

20. ‫اﻟﻔﺎﴍ‬ ‫ﺟﺎﻣﻌﺔ‬–‫ﻣﺠﻠﺔ‬‫اﻟﻌﻠﻮم‬‫اﻟﺘﻄﺒﻴﻘﻴﺔ‬–‫اﻟﻌﺪد‬‫اﻷول‬–‫ﻳﻮﻧﻴﻮ‬2013‫م‬
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