Orthoptera in rice fields of Coimbatore

Abstract

Orthopteran fauna in rice ecosystem at Coimbatore were surveyed in the Paddy Breeding Station and Wetlands of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University since 1997. Fifty species of Orthoptera (8 long-homed grasshoppers, 28 short-horned grasshoppers, 3 crickets, 1 tree cricket and 10 pygmy grasshoppers) were recorded in the survey. Those collected from the rice fields were found feeding on rice foliage and grains and a few of the Orthopterans viz., Anaxipha longipennis (Serv.), Metioche vittaticollis (Stal), Metioche bicolor (Stal.) (Trigonidiidae) collected mainly from the bunds were observed to be predators of rice insect pests.