Journal of Environment and Sociobiology

Hena Anand ¹, Sarasi Das ¹, Arijit Ganguly ¹, P. Haldar ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Zoology, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan-731235, West Bengal, IN

Abstract

Experiments were done to estimate biomass production by mass rearing of Oxya fuscovittata (Marschall) and Spathosternum prasiniferum prasiniferum (Walker) under laboratory condition, in order to utilize them as non conventional protein rich animal feed supplement. For this purpose fecundity, fertility, adult emergence, sex-ratio, fresh and dry body weight, protein and energy content in acridid tissue were determined. This study has shown that taking a single pair of male and female as starting point, O. fuscovittata may produce 225.07 kg dry biomass/year by mass rearing. Thus O. fuscovittata with high protein content and ability to produce high biomass can be utilized in animal feed as protein supplement through establishment of acridid farms.

Keywords

Oxya fuscovittata, Fecundity, Energy Content, Protein Content, Acridid Farming.

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P. Haldar ¹, Hena Anand ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Zoology, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniicetan-731 235, IN

Abstract

The knowledge of the life span and sex ratio is of immense importance for biomass production of acridids which can be utilized as non-conventional nutrient source in animal feed. Life span and sex ratio were studied on four Indian acridid species, i.e., Oxya fuscovittata, Acrida exaltata, Hieroglyphus banian and Spathosternum prasiniferum prasiniferum under laboratory based rearing. The study reveals that H. banian required more rearing time than A. exaltaia, 0. fuscovittata and S. pr. prasiniferum. In each species females were found to live longer than the males. The sex ratio study shows female dominance in O. fuscovittata and A. exaltata and male dominance in H. banian and S. pr. prasiniferum under laboratory condition.

Keywords

Acridid, Life Span, Sex Ratio, Biomass, Rearing.

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Hiroj Kr. Saha ¹, Hena Anand ¹, P. Haldar ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Zoology, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan- 731235, West Bengal, IN

Abstract

Acridids are one of the most dominant phytophagus insects which play an important role in the functioning of forest ecosystem. Seasonal occurrence and fluctuation and. sex ratio are important components of population structure in acridid community. The investigation on seasonal occurrence and sex ratio on three species of acridid, viz.. Ditiopiernis venusta (Walker), Oedaleus abruptus (Thunberg), and Truxalis indica (Bol.) in dry deciduous forest of West Bengal revealed that D. venusta was the most dominant species in the study area. The population of acridids fluctuates in different season and highest number was observed during autumn. Statistical analysis reflects that male and female ratio are more or less equal.

Keywords

Acridids, Seasonal Occurrence, Sex Ratio.

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