Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies

Volume 2, Issue 2

Geographical variation of the pyrgomorphid grasshopper, Zonocerus variegatus L. (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae) in southern Nigeria

Author(s): Bamidele AO and Muse WA

Abstract: Mean body weights of male and female Zonocerus variegatus varied with location. In the male, the mean body weight vary significantly between Owerri specimens (0.598±0.032 g) and Ado-Ekiti specimens (0.868±0.031 g). The mean weights of ovary with eggs, the mean number of the eggs in the ovary and the mean number of eggs from pods deposited by the female Z. variegatus fluatuated significantly among the locations. There was a positive correlation between the weight of ovary with eggs and the body weight of females in all the locations. The weight of accessory reproductive glands-seminal vesicle bundles were dependent on the weights of the testes for males in all locations. Body size, seems to determine the reproductive potential of Z. variegatus since larger females possessed bigger ovaries with higher egg number and of larger size in the pods. Mean number of eggs from pods vary significantly with location indicating differential fecundity with locality. The study showed that females from Ile-Ife, Ado-Ekiti, Owerri, and Port-Harcourt were more fecund than those from Asaba and Abakaliki. Aspect of the biology of Z. variegatus from parts of southern Nigeria.

Fig: Regression analysis of body weight on gut weight of male Z. variegatus across the six locations.

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