Bulletin of Entomological Research (1958) 49, 479-496

I.A.D. Robertson (1958)
The reproduction of the Red Locust, Nomadacris septemfasciata (Serv.) (Orthoptera, Acrididae), in an outbreak area
Bulletin of Entomological Research 49 (3), 479-496
Abstract: Regular examination of the ovaries in samples of the Nomadacris septemfasciata population was undertaken throughout the breeding seasons 1952 to 1955 in the Rukwa Valley outbreak area. Eggs developed rapidly and the corresponding weight increases of females were noted. Initiation of ovarian development was associated with a drop of daily maximum temperature to below 36°C. High humidity and rainfall also had some effect, and change in length of day as a factor is considered. The number of egg-pods laid during a season will depend on the dates when the maximum daily temperature falls and the adult population begins to drop. Females each laid an average of 1.7 pods during the season, with 16 days between successive ovipositions. It is estimated that a Red Locust population could increase 100-fold during a season.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied from Acridological Abstracts with permission by NRI, Univ. of Greenwich at Medway.)
Link to article at publishers website

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
population dynamics/ epidemiology
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Nomadacris septemfasciata