Abstract The goal of this study was to assess the status of Dichroplus elongatus and Borellia bruneri as actual agricultural pests in the Argentine Pampas by determining their abundance, distribution, and associated forage loss. The study was conducted in Laprida and Tandil, two counties in Buenos Aires province. In each county 20 sampling sites were established and monitored from 2012 to 2018. B. bruneri was more abundant and with a wider distribution in Laprida (91.4% of the sites) than in Tandil (42.1% of the sites) while D. elongatus abundance was significantly higher from 2012 to 2016 in Tandil than in Laprida and its distribution was wide in Laprida (75% of the sites) and very wide in Tandil (77.14%). Under field-cage conditions forage loss caused at three different densities (8, 16, and 32 ind/m2) of D. elongatus and B. bruneri adults on a pasture of Festuca arundinacea was estimated. Forage loss caused by D. elongatus was significantly higher than that caused by B. bruneri. Dichroplus elongatus caused a significant decrease in biomass at the three densities respect to the control, while B. bruneri only caused a significant decrease at the highest density. Our study suggests that although the gomphocerine B. bruneri is an abundant and widely-distributed species capable of doing some damage in the grasslands of the southern Pampas, it is comparatively much less harmful than the melanopline D. elongatus.

Abstract Grasshoppers are among the dominant insects in most grassland systems. These insects’ communities tend to exhibit temporal variations in the distribution and abundance of their species, and during outbreak years cause important economic loss in both implanted pastures and crops. In the study area, Laprida county, as well as in other ones of Buenos Aires province, this pest problem has been recognized since last century. The aim of this study was to analyze the pest management of grasshoppers made by farmers and related institutions in Laprida using both qualitative (interviews and documentary observation) and quantitative methods (surveys). About 80% of surveyed farmers considered that grasshoppers are the main pest in the region, and 60% of them apply chemical insecticides against this pest, mainly on crops. Besides, only 12.8% of surveyed farmers are aware of nonchemical alternatives for pest control, such us biological control and natural enemies. Most of interviewed farmers acknowledged the importance of preventive management through systematic grasshopper monitoring and spot treatments in risky areas. Additionally, farmers showed interest for implement more environmentally-safer strategies such as biological control.

Resumen Las tucuras se encuentran entre los insectos dominantes en la mayoría de los sistemas de pastizal. Las comunidades de estos insectos exhiben variaciones temporales en la distribución y abundancia de sus especies, y durante años de explosiones poblacionales (outbreaks), causan sustanciales pérdidas económicas en pasturas implantadas y cultivos. En el área de estudio, partido de Laprida, como en otras zonas de la provincia de Buenos Aires esta problemática es reconocida desde el siglo pasado. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el manejo de tucuras plaga realizado por los productores e instituciones vinculadas al agro en el partido de Laprida. Para ello se utilizaron métodos cualitativos (entrevistas y observación documental) y cuantitativos (encuestas). El 80% de los productores encuestados considera que las tucuras representan una de las principales plagas de la región, y el 60% de los mismos aplica insecticidas químicos sobre estos insectos, principalmente en cultivos. No obstante, solamente el 12.8% de los encuestados conoce un control alternativo al químico, tal como el control biológico. La mayoría de los entrevistados admiten la importancia de implementar controles preventivos mediante monitoreos sistemáticos de tucuras y tratamientos localizados en zonas de riesgo. Además, los entrevistados mostraron interés por implementar estrategias más seguras para el medioambiente, tales como el control biológico.

Dichroplus maculipennis and Borellia bruneri are two of the 18 grasshopper species of actual or potential economic relevance as pests in Argentina. The objective of this study was to estimate the sex ratios for adults and older nymphs of D. maculipennis and B. bruneri in the field, and analyze possible temporal variations. The study was conducted during seven seasons (2005-06 to 2011-12) in representative plant communities of the southern Pampas region. A total of 4536 individuals of D. maculipennis, and 6038 individuals of B. bruneri were collected. The sex ratio registered in older nymphs for D. maculipennis and B. bruneri did not deviate from a 1:1 ratio (p > 0.05), suggesting that these species have such a primary sex ratio. However, a significant bias in sex composition in adults of both species was observed (p < 0.05). The sex ratio in adults of D. maculipennis was different in five of the 18 sampling dates carried out. In three sampling dates it was biased toward males, while in the other two it was biased toward females. Taking into account the sex ratio by sampling season, significant differences were recorded in two seasons. In 2007-08 the sex ratio was biased toward males (1 F:2.26 M), while in 2008-09 it was biased toward females (1.35 F:1 M). The sex ratio in adults of B. bruneri was always biased toward males (p < 0.05). We conclude that results obtained in this study indicate that various factors like differential survival, dispersion, predation, among others, could have modified the primary sex ratio in these species.

Los acridios son componentes nativos de los pastizales, dichos sistemas han sido modificados debido a la intensificación de las actividades agrícola-ganaderas y por lo tanto se considera importante estudiar las comunidades de acridios asociadas. Se estudió la diversidad y distribución de acridios en el Sur de la región pampeana a través de muestreos realizados en las comunidades vegetales más representativas del partido de Laprida, provincia de Buenos Aires, durante cinco temporadas (2005-2010). Se recolectaron 22 especies. La subfamilia Melanoplinae fue la más diversa (ocho especies). La mayor cantidad de especies se observó en los pastizales nativos (18). La diversidad en los pastizales alterados (1.75±0.096) fue superior (p<0.05) a la de los pastizales halófilos (1.34±0.12). La riqueza de plantas en los pastizales nativos y los pastizales alterados fue superior (p<0.05) a la de las demás comunidades. Se registro una relación positiva entre la riqueza de plantas y las variables riqueza y diversidad de acridios. La similitud entre las comunidades de acridios estimada por los índices cualitativos fue superior al 60%. En general, las especies que tuvieron una mayor frecuencia de aparición, mostraron una mayor abundancia y distribución. Covasacris pallidinota, Dichroplus elongatus, D. maculipennis, Borellia bruneri y B. pallida fueron las de mayor distribución, cinco especies tuvieron una distribución intermedia y la mayoría (12) una distribución restringida.

In Argentina, the grasslands of Pampas region comprise approximately 15% of the country. As in other grasslands of the world, grasshoppers are among the most important native herbivores. Their economic importance has been recognized in Argentina since the mid to late nineteenth century, since outbreaks of different species have become recurrent phenomena. Therefore, the main objective of this work was to study their diversity and distribution in grasslands of the Southern Pampas region (Laprida county, Buenos Aires province), as one of the most affected areas. The study was conducted during five seasons (2005-10). Sampling sites were represented by the most common plant communities in this area, classified in four categories: native grasslands, disturbed grasslands, implanted pastures and halophilous grasslands. The samplings were conducted from mid-spring to early autumn, with five or six samples per season. We estimated the following population descriptors: species richness (S), eveness (E), dominance (J), and diversity index (H´). In order to evaluate the similitude of the grasshopper communities present in the different plant communities, we used qualitative and quantitative coefficients of similitude. A total of 22 species of grasshoppers were collected, of which 21 belong to the family Acrididae. The subfamily Melanoplinae was the most diverse with eight species. The largest species richness was recorded in native grasslands (18). The different communities of grasshoppers had similar indices of evenness and dominance (p>0.05). Considering all plant communities, the average value of Shannon-Wiener index was 1.58±0.075. There was a positive correlation between evenness index and species richness (p<0.05). The diversity index H’ was different between plants communities (p<0.05), and it was higher in the disturbed grassland (1.75±0.096, p<0.05) than in the halophilous grasslands (1.34±0.12). Native and disturbed grasslands had a higher plant richness than halophilous grasslands and implanted pastures (p<0.05). There was a positive relationship between plant richness and grasshoppers species richness, and diversity of grasshoppers. According to the qualitative indices applied, the similitude between different grasshopper communities was higher than 60%. In general, the species that had a higher frequency of occurrence showed greater abundance and distribution. Covasacris pallidinota, Dichroplus elongatus, D. maculipennis, Borellia bruneri and B. pallid were the most widely distributed species, most of them (12) showed a restricted distribution and few (five) an intermediate distribution.

Grasshoppers are among the dominant invertebrate herbivores in most grassland habitats. The economic importance of grasshoppers has been recognized in Argentina since the XIX century, but many aspects of the biology and ecology of most species remain unknown. The main objective of this study was to determine how grasshopper species richness, composition, and density varied among characteristic plant communities during five successive seasons (2005-06 to 2009-10) in grasslands of the southern Buenos Aires province, an area historically affected by these insects. Twenty two species were collected. Grasshopper species richness was similar between different plant communities and showed a significant decrease in the final year of sampling. The overall density increased significantly in all plant communities during the study, reaching outbreak levels in the last two seasons. Density was over eight times higher in 2009-10 than in 2005-06. The greatest contribution to the increase in density observed was by Dichroplus maculipennis (Blanchard) and Borellia bruneri (Rhen). Dichroplus maculipennis re-emerged as the most serious grasshopper pest in the Pampas, developing an outbreak of historical magnitude that included high densities of up to75 ind/m².

Los acridios figuran entre los invertebrados herbívoros dominantes en la mayoría de los sistemas de pastizal. Si bien, en Argentina, la importancia económica de estos insectos ha sido reconocida desde el siglo XIX, aún se desconocen aspectos importantes de la biología y ecología de la mayoría de las especies. El objetivo principal de este estudio fue determinar cómo la riqueza de especies, la composición y la densidad de acridios variaron en las comunidades vegetales más características del Sur de la provincia de Buenos Aires, durante cinco temporadas sucesivas (2005-06 hasta 2009-10), un área históricamente afectada por estos insectos. Se colectó un total de 22especies. La riqueza de acridios fue similar entre las diferentes comunidades vegetales, observándose una disminución significativa de la misma durante la última temporada de muestreo. La densidad total de acridios aumentó significativamente en todas las comunidades vegetales durante el estudio, alcanzando niveles de explosión poblacional (“outbreak”) en las últimas dos temporadas. En la de 2009-10, la densidad fue ocho veces mayor que en 2005-06. Las especies que más aportaron a este aumento en la densidad fueron Dichroplus maculipennis (Blanchard) y Borellia bruneri (Rehn). Dichroplus maculipennis resurgió como el acridio plaga más perjudicial en la región Pampeana, con el desarrollo de un “outbreak” de magnitud histórica, se registraron, en algunos sitios, densidades de hasta 75 ind/m².

Considering the development of the soybean crops using direct tillage in Benito Juárez county, and taking into account that for some authors this practice favours the grasshopper populations, the abundance and species richness in soybean with direct and conventional tillage were evaluated. Seven species were registered (Aleuas lineatus Stål, Covasacris pallidinota (Bruner), Baeacris pseudopunctulatus (Ronderos), Dichroplus elongatus Giglio-Tos, Dichroplus maculipennis (Blanchard), Dichroplus pratensis Bruner and Scotussa lemniscata (Stål). The accumulated richness was similar (p> 0.05), along the different crops; 2.3 ± 0.19 species were registered in soybean crops first seedtime with direct tillage, 1.45 ± 0.15 species in soybean with conventional tillage and 2.25 ± 0.28 species in soybean second seedtime with direct tillage. Dichroplus elongatus was the most abundant grasshopper in all crops and at every sampling moment. The remaining species had low abundance and were recorded in some samples. There was no difference (p> 0.05), in the grasshoppers abundance in the different soybean crops at the different sampling times. The low grasshopper species richness registered could be related to the low vegetal diversity of the crops. The results of this study showed no differences in abundance and species richness among different systems of tillage of the soybeans crops.

Considerando el desarrollo del cultivo de soja en siembra directa en el partido de Benito Juárez, y que algunos autores sostienen que esta práctica favorece los acridios, se evaluó la riqueza de especies y la abundancia en soja con siembra directa y convencional. Se registraron siete especies (Aleuas lineatus Stål, Covasacris pallidinota (Bruner), Baeacris pseudopunctulatus (Ronderos), Dichroplus elongatus Giglio-Tos, Dichroplus maculipennis (Blanchard), Dichroplus pratensis Bruner y Scotussa lemniscata (Stål). La riqueza de especies acumulada en los diferentes cultivos fue similar (p> 0,05). En soja de primera con siembra directa, se registraron 2,3 ± 0,19 especies, en soja de primera con siembra convencional 1,45 ± 0,15 especies y en soja de segunda con siembra directa 2,25 ± 0,28 especies. Dichroplus elongatus fue la especie más abundante en todos los cultivos y en todos los momentos. Las restantes presentaron baja abundancia y se registraron en algunos momentos. No existió diferencia (p> 0,05) en la abundancia de tucuras entre los cultivos y en las diferentes fechas de muestreo. La baja riqueza de especies registrada estaría relacionada con la baja diversidad vegetal de los cultivos. Este estudio no mostró diferencias en la abundancia y riqueza de especies de acuerdo a la labranza utilizada.

La Subfamilia Melanoplinae tiene una relevancia central dentro de la acridiofauna Argentina. Varias especies suelen ser numéricamente dominantes en las comunidades de acridios del país y algunas constituyen serias plagas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue conocer el ciclo de vida postembrionario, la fecundidad y supervivencia de las hembras y el consumo de alimento de Dichruplus exilis bajo condiciones controladas (30°C; 40%HR y 14L-10O). Para ello se realizó el seguimiento de tres cohortes de 16, 17 y 20 individuos. El tiempo de incubación fue de 14.4±1.08 días. La duración del desarrollo ninfal fue 41.38; 0.71 días (I 8.73; 0.20, II 6.38; 0.24, III 5.64; 0.33, IV 7.15; 0.43, V 9.76; 0.54; IV 7.85; 0.95); la fecundidad promedio fue de 381.84, 38.54huevos/hembra. El consumo registrado fue de 9.89; 1.08 (mg/ind./día) para las ninfas de IV, 18.04; 0.73 (mg/ind./día) para las de V y IV, mientras que el consumo promedio de los adultos, sin diferenciar sexo y estado reproductivo, fue de 16.41; 4.32mg/día. Estos parámetros, al ser comparados con los de otras especies afines, indican que D. exilis exhibe atributos biológicos que condicen con los de otros melanoplinos considerados plaga.

Postembryonic development, fecundity and food consumption of Dichroplus exilis (Orthoptera: Acrididae) under controlled conditions. Dichroplus exilis is a widely distributed species in Southern South America. Although there have been reports of D. exilis as an agricultural pest, some recent observations suggest that the damage attributed to D. elongatus may actually have been caused by D. exilis. This study was conducted to determine the postembryonic life cycle stages, fertility and food consumption of this species under controlled conditions (30°C, 14L-10D, 40% RH).Individuals employed belong to the laboratory-hatched first generation (F1), from adults (n=64, ♀=28, ♂=36) collected in natural grasslands near Rafaela, Santa Fe province in North- Eastern Argentina. Three cohorts of 16, 17 and 20 individuals were monitored independently in acetate tubes on a daily basis, until death of the last insect. Average fecundity was 381.84, 38.54 eggs per female. Egg-pod incubation time was 14.4, 1.08 days and six nymphal instars were recorded. Nymphal development time was 41.38, 0.71 days (I=8.73, 0.20; II=6.38, 0.24; III=5.64, 0.33; IV=7.15; 0.43; V=9.76, 0.54; IV=7.85, 0.95). The recorded food consumption was 9.89, 1.08 (mg/ind/day) for nymphs IV, 18.04, 0.73 (mg/ind/day) for nymphs V-IV, 16.76, 1.06 (mg/ind/day) for pre-reproductive males, 28.09, 1.81 (mg/ind/day) for pre-reproductive females, 7.71, 0.91 (mg/ind/day) for reproductive males and 13.06, 0.71 (mg/ind/day) for reproductive females, while the average adult food consumption, regardless of sex and reproductive status, was 16.41, 4.32mg/day. Average food consumption of adult females was 17.47, 1.15mg, and was significantly higher than that of males (10.83, 0.91mg). Data obtained in this study showed that D. exilis exhibits at least some of the biological attributes needed to configure an actual or potential agricultural pest, albeit not yet recognized as such. Field monitoring of grasshopper communities in areas where damage by D. exilis is suspected is envisaged in order to determine its possible status as a pest. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (4): 1579-1587. Epub 2011 December 01

O gafanhoto Dichroplus maculipennis é um dos mais característicos e prejudiciales da Argentina, principalmente nas regiões das Pampas e da Patagonia. O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar e comparar a longevidade e fecundidade das fêmeas adultas do D. maculipennis sob condições controladas (30ºC, 14 luz: 10 obscuridad, 40% RH) a partir do indivíduos coletados em campo como ultimo estadio ninfal (VI) e con historia recente conocida de baixas e altas densidades. As densidades de D. maculipennis nos locais de coleta foram de 0.95 indivíduos por m² em 2006 e 46 indivíduos/m² em 2009, representando situações de "non-outbreaking" e "outbreaking", respectivamente. A longevidade das fêmeas adultas em 2006 (67.96 ± 3.2 dias) foi significamente maior (p < 0.05) do que as de 2009 (37.44 ± 1.98 dias). O número de oviposiçãos por fêmea foi de 3.32 ± 0.44 para 2006 e 1.62 ± 0.26 para 2009. A fecundidade média em 2006 (89.29 ± 11.9 ovos/fêmea) foi significativamente maior (p < 0.05) do que a das fêmeas de 2009 (36.27 ± 5.82 ovos/fêmea). As curvas de fecundidade mostraram que os valores mais elevados ocorreram nas 11ª e 13ª semanas de 2006, e na 6ª semana para àquelas de 2009. Comparando a taxa diária de oviposição para altas e baixas densidades, não apresentaram diferenças significativas (p > 0.05). No entanto, as baixas taxas de fecundidade das fêmeas em densidades elevadas, se devem, provavelmente à longevidade reduzida.

Dichroplus maculipennis is one of the most characteristic and damaging grasshopper species of Argentina, mainly in areas of the Pampas and Patagonia regions. We estimated and compared the longevity and fecundity of adult female D. maculipennis under controlled conditions (30ºC, 14L:10D, 40% RH) from individuals collected as last instar nymphs (VI) in the field and with a known recent history of low and high density conditions. Densities of D. maculipennis at the collecting sites were 0.95 individuals per m² in 2006 and 46 ind/m² in 2009, representing non-outbreaking and outbreaking situations, respectively. Adult female longevity in 2006 (67.96 ± 3.2 days) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in 2009 (37.44 ± 1.98 days). The number of egg-pods per female was 3.32 ± 0.44 for 2006 and 1.62 ± 0.26 for 2009. The average fecundity in 2006 (89.29 ± 11.9 eggs/female) was significantly greater (p < 0.05) than that in 2009 (36.27 ± 5.82 eggs/female). While it was observed that the oviposition rate was higher in 2006, this difference was not significant (p > 0.05). The fecundity curves showed that the highest values were at weeks 11 and 13 for the 2006 females, and at week 6 for those of 2009. Since the daily oviposition rate at low and high densities was not significantly different, the diminished fecundity rate at high density is attributable to their reduced longevity.

Five cohorts of Baeacris pseudopunctulatus Ronderos were monitored under controlled conditions (30º C, 14L:10D, 40% RH) in order to determine some fundamental aspects of its biology and reproduction. Five nymphal instars were recorded. The observed developmental time in nymphs was 30,14 ± 0,85 days. Mean duration of cohorts was 10,66 ± 1,7 weeks. Mean number of egg-pods per female was 3,56 ± 0,52, and mean number of eggs per pod was 15,5 ± 0,6, with a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 22. Mean fecundity (number of eggs per female) was 46,03 ± 6,84. The egg-laying rate was 1,20 ± 0,21 eggs/female/day.

Se realizó el seguimiento en laboratorio de cinco cohortes de Baeacris pseudopunctulatus Ronderos, con el objetivo de conocer algunos aspectos fundamentales su biología y reproducción bajo condiciones controladas (30º C, 14L: 10O, 40% HR). Se registraron 5 estadios ninfales. La duración del ciclo ninfal fue de 30,14 ± 0,85 días. La duración promedio de las cohortes fue de 10,66 ± 1,7 semanas. El número promedio de posturas por hembra fue de 3,56 ± 0,52. El número promedio de huevos por postura fue de 15,5 ± 0,6, con un mínimo de 10 huevos y un máximo de 22. La fecundidad promedio (número de huevos/hembra) fue de 46,03 ± 6,84. La tasa de oviposición fue de 1,20 ± 0,21 huevos/hembra/día.

First generation cohorts obtained in the laboratory from field collected (southeast of San Luis province) individuals of the grasshopper Ronderosia bergi (Stål), were used to measure some developmental parameters of the species under controlled conditions (30 ° C, 40% RH, 14 hs. L: 10 hs. D). The total duration of the postembryonic development was 213 days, of which thirty were devoted to the five instars of nymphal development. The mean number of eggs per eggpod was 16.8, and sexual maturity was reached 4-5 days after the last molt. Differences with data coming from other studies may be due to the different conditions used or the high intraspecific variability of R. bergi.

Mediante el seguimiento de cohortes correspondientes a la primera generación de bioterio, provenientes de ejemplares capturados en el sudeste de la provincia de San Luis, se registraron algunos parámetros biológicos fundamentales del acridio Ronderosia bergi (Stål) bajo condiciones controladas (30 ° C, 40% HR; 14hs. luz, 10 hs. oscuridad). La duración total del desarrollo postembrionario fue de 213 días, de los cuales 30 correspondieron a los cinco estadios del desarrollo ninfal. El número promedio de huevos por postura fue de 16,8, y la madurez sexual fue alcanzada dentro de los 4-5 días después del ingreso a imago. Las diferencias con los escasos datos provenientes de estudios previos, obedecerían a las distintas condiciones de crianza o a una alta variabilidad intraespecífica.