Latest news with #Orthoptera
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Wildlife study unveils hidden grasshopper haven in state
1 2 Jaisalmer: A scientific survey conducted in the heart of Rajasthan's Desert National Park (DNP) has unveiled a rich diversity of Orthoptera, the insect order that includes grasshoppers, locusts and crickets. Spanning an area of 3,162 sq km across the Jaisalmer and Barmer districts, this study highlights the ecological significance of these often-overlooked insects in the arid landscape. The research team identified 24 distinct species of Orthoptera, including notable species such as Acrida turrita and Schistocerca gregaria, spanning 20 genera and 11 subfamilies across five families. The Acrididae family, comprising true grasshoppers, emerged as the most diverse group in the region's grasslands and scrublands. The comprehensive survey, carried out between June 2021 and Dec 2024, was led by researchers Anshuman Pati, Indranil Paul and Sutirtha Dutta from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the IUCN Grasshopper Specialist Group. "This expansive grassland ecosystem is not only the last stronghold of the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB) but also a haven for an astonishing variety of insect life," said Anshuman Pati, lead researcher from WII. Interestingly, the study revealed that species richness peaked during summer months, coinciding with the emergence of seasonal vegetation like Cenchrus biflorus and Lasiurus sindicus. Conversely, the monsoon and winter seasons yielded fewer species, likely due to habitat saturation and limited visibility during collection efforts. The research, published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa, employed standard sweep netting methods and careful documentation techniques. "The study significantly enhances our understanding of Orthopteran diversity in the Thar Desert, a region that has often been overshadowed by research focused on its bird and mammal populations," Pati said. The findings emphasise the crucial role insects play as ecological indicators of grassland health, particularly in arid environments.
Arab News
29-06-2025
- Science
- Arab News
What We Are Reading Today: ‘Grasshoppers, Locusts, and Crickets of the World'
Edited by Martin Husemann and Oliver Hawlitschek Grasshoppers, locusts, crickets, bush crickets, and katydids make up the order of insects known as Orthoptera. Although there about 30,000 species of Orthoptera around the world, many people pay little attention to them and even scientists know relatively little about them. Yet the world of grasshoppers is a fascinating and diverse one.
