A Comprehensive Key for Identification of the “Swarming Conehead” Ruspolia Differens Serville, 1838 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) Occurring in the Afro - Tropical Region

Abstract

This work reviewed t h e behavioural, morphological and molecular characteristics of the lo n g - h o rned g r a ss h opp e r R u s po l i a d i f f e r e n s S e r v i l le or “ s en en e ” i n S wa h i li name ( O r t h op t e ra T e t t i g o n ii da e ), as apparent in literature. On that basis, the work has generated a comprehensive key for identification of this species. As widely known, this insect native to Afro - tropical region where it is widely edible and it ha s a characteristic s w a rm i n g behaviour that strikingly occurs during rainy season. Also, it has c o l ou r polymorphism with a total of six key sympatric colour forms, sex d i m o r p hi sm with m al e s possessing longer antennae and a u n i q u e pair o f active tongue - like m e t a t h o r a c i c f l a p s whereas the females have a corresponding pair of vestigial metathoracic nodules. Furthermore, t he species has a pair of distinct subequal black markings on the mid and hind tibia near the knee joint and a white inter - ocular oval mark that appears like a s imple eye. Its sister species which is Ruspolia nitidula S c o p o l i as verified by molecular phylogenetics i s e xc l u s i v e l y s ol i t a r y , mostly g r e en i sh an d P a l ea rc t i c r an g i n g i n A s i a , E u r op e a n d N o r t h e r n A f r i c a. Since swarming behaviour is a foremost diagnostic feature differentiating R. differens from other coneheads, it is worthwhile to demarcate the species with a common name “Swarming Conehead” adding to the existed names.