Agricultural and Forest Entomology (2000) 2, 3-10

Simon Blanford, Matthew B. Thomas and Jürgen Langewald (2000)
Thermal ecology of Zonocerus variegatus and its effects on biocontrol using pathogens
Agricultural and Forest Entomology 2 (1), 3-10
Abstract: 1 Thermal behaviour of the variegated grasshopper, Zonocerus variegatus, was investigated in the humid tropical zone of southern Benin, west Africa, in the dry seasons of 1996 and 1998. In 1998, investigations included studies of a population of grasshoppers sprayed with an oil-based formulation of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae var acridum.
2 Body temperature measurements and observations of thermal behaviour both in the field and on thermal gradients in the laboratory, suggest that Z. variegatus was not an active behavioural thermoregulator. Although it did show shade-seeking behaviour at high temperatures, no overt behavioural postures or microhabitat selection associated with heat gain and elevation of body temperatures was observed. Moreover, no alterations to thermal behaviour were found in response to infection by Metarhizium.
3 Body temperatures exhibited by Z. variegatus in the field will lengthen disease incubation of M. anisopliae var acridum compared with laboratory maintained, constant temperature conditions and may have a significant impact on pathogens with a lower thermal tolerance.
4 Habitat structure appeared to be an important factor determining the extent of body temperature elevation. The effect of habitat differences on infection and growth of M. anisopliae var acridum and other entomopathogenic fungi is discussed.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Jürgen Langewald, Simon Blanford

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
environment - cropping system/rotation
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Zonocerus variegatus		Benin
Metarhizium acridum (entomopathogen)	Zonocerus variegatus		Benin