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In Bernard Suits' The Grasshopper and Return of the Grasshopper, game-play is claimed to be the 'ideal of existence' and the only activity that could sustain us through the 'endless and endlessly boring summer' of utopia. Christopher Yorke has challenged these claims by way of a constructive dilemma. If these games are sufficiently akin to the games we play, then they are not adequate to the task of rendering immortality tolerable. If these games are importantly different than the games we play, then, in being 'unknown and unknowable', they would characterize a form of life that is importantly different from our own and, so, would be inappropriate objects of social and political aspiration. Against Yorke's skepticism, I argue that the games that constitute the ideal of existence are intelligible to us because we already play what the Grasshopper calls 'open games'. Steffen Borge concedes that utopian games are intelligible, but argues that such games would fail to 'grab our minds and imagination'. In the second half of the paper, I contend, against Borge, that such open games are adequate to the task of sustaining the interest of an immortal community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of this article is to reconstruct and comment on Bernard Suits' argument concerning the paradoxicality of the perfectly played game and explain how the argument might contribute to the game vs. performance distinction. The argument was mentioned by Suits in 'Tricky Triad: Games, Play and Sport' in the course of argumentation for the distinction between games and performances but it has not been presented in any of Suits' works published during his lifetime. However, Suits' fonds deposited in the Special Collections and Archive of the University of Waterloo contains two texts that were nevertheless meant for publication: 'A Perfectly Played Game' (recently published as Appendix III to Suits' Return of the Grasshopper) and unpublished 'The Search for a Perfectly Fair Game'. The latter is a modified version of the former; there is an overlapping core in both texts, but there are also some essential differences between them. To provide a formula capable of embracing Suits' ideas from both texts and remove the tension between the ideas of a perfectly played and perfectly fair game, I introduce the concept of a perfect game. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecosystems are frequently considered to be controlled by predation (top‐down). Experiments examined this in four bird/spider/grasshopper/prairie habitats over 34 years, employing in each habitat three 100 m2 bird exclosures and controls (121 habitat/year cases) where plant, grasshopper, and spider abundances were measured. Top‐down control (plants decrease and grasshoppers increase with bird exclusion) was observed in only 13.2% of cases, while plants increased and grasshoppers decreased in 33.1% of cases, plants decreased and grasshoppers decreased in 25.6% of cases, and plants increased and grasshoppers increased in 28.1% of cases. Therefore, top‐down control was not common and system responses were not constant, but varied among sites, years, and directionally over time with climate change. This diversity of responses is expected given the variety of underlying processes in complex ecosystems. For example, decision tree/discriminant analysis found that plant decreases and increases with bird exclusion were correctly identified in 78.3% of cases by grasshopper hatchling abundance, plant cover, and annual net primary production (ANPP), while grasshopper decreases and increases with bird exclusion were correctly identified in 76.7% of cases by edible plant biomass per grasshopper hatchling, grasshopper hatchling abundance, and large grasshopper abundance. Analysis of other system‐wide terrestrial trophic experiments indicates that the variety of responses observed by us over time and space may be common so that system‐wide trophic responses may, in general, be more variable than either top‐down or bottom‐up as often considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastewater irrigation is often practiced in arid regions, which can increase the chance of heavy metals contaminating the agricultural system. This contamination poses risks to both the environment and human health. This research looked into how cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) move through a food chain involving soil, plants, and arthropods. The study was conducted in El-Gabal El-Asfar, Egypt, comparing treated and untreated wastewater irrigation areas. Six soil-irrigated sites and one reference site were sampled for soil, alfalfa (Medicago sativa), two grasshopper species (Aiolopus thalassinus and Calephorus compressicornis), and a wolf spider (Hogna ferox). The samples were analyzed for their heavy metal content. Metal concentrations in all components of the wastewater irrigated system were significantly higher compared to the reference site. The wolf spider and the soil contained the highest levels of Cd, Pb, and Cu, while the greatest concentrations of Zn were found in the spider and grasshoppers. Despite limited transfer from soil to plant, trace elements biomagnified within the terrestrial food chain, specifically from grasshoppers to wolf spiders. The correlation analysis of metal levels between soils, plants, and arthropods in the present study reflects its transfer across the trophic levels. It suggests that dietary intake is the main source of metal accumulation in arthropods. The present study, therefore, quite clearly indicated the possibility of heavy metal biomagnification in terrestrial food chains of wastewater-irrigated agroecosystems. Continuous monitoring and management of such systems are advocated to avoid environmental and public health risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Calliptamus italicus L. is a major pest in Xinjiang grassland. The diapause overwintering strategy is one of the important reasons for the large population of this pest. This study investigated the function of the genes associated with the release of diapause (DIB, JHE and CAM) in Calliptamus italicus by RNA interference (RNAi) technology to aid in its biological control. RESULTS: The expression levels of DIB and its downstream‐associated genes (EcR and FTZ‐F1) in the eggs injected with dsDIB for 12 h decreased by 96.6%, 55.8% and 81.8%, respectively. Diapause began to terminate on day 3, and development was almost complete on day 6. However, the head was significantly smaller. The expression levels of JHE and its downstream‐associated genes (JHEH and VgR) at 48 h after dsJHE treatment decreased by 76.5%, 85.6% and 85.9%, respectively. The termination of diapause occured on day 3 of incubation. The development was basically complete on day 6, but the yolk had been incompletely absorbed. The expression of CAM and its downstream‐associated genes (CAMK4 and MYL) at 24 h after dsCAM treatment decreased by 42.4%, 95.3% and 82.7%, respectively. Diapause termination was completed on day 4 for incubation, and development was abnormal on day 6. The absorption of yolk was incomplete. CONCLUSION: DIB, JHE and CAM can delay the diapause termination of Calliptamus italicus eggs to different degrees and can be developed as potential target genes for its biological control. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large mammalian herbivores (LMH) are important functional components and drivers of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in grasslands. Yet their role in regulating food-web dynamics and trophic cascades remains poorly understood. In the temperate grasslands of northern China, we explored whether and how grazing domestic cattle (Bos taurus) alter the predator–prey interactions between a dominant grasshopper (Euchorthippus unicolor) and its avian predator the barn swallow (Hirundo rustica). Using two large manipulative field experiments, we found that in the presence of cattle, grasshoppers increased their jumping frequency threefold, swallows increased foraging visits to these fields sixfold, and grasshopper density was reduced by about 50%. By manipulatively controlling the grasshoppers' ability to jump, we showed that jumping enables grasshoppers to avoid being incidentally consumed or trampled by cattle. However, jumping behaviour increased their consumption rates by swallows 37-fold compared with grasshoppers that were unable to jump. Our findings illustrate how LMH can indirectly alter predator–prey interactions by affecting behaviour of avian predators and herbivorous insects. These non-plant-mediated effects of LMH may influence trophic interactions in other grazing ecosystems and shape community structure and dynamics. We highlight that convoluted multispecies interactions may better explain how LMH control food-web dynamics in grasslands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grasshoppers are the world's most common and diversified insect. They are polyphagous and become ravenous leaf feeders when population density is high. The present survey was conducted to explore grasshoppers from district Khairpur Sindh, Pakistan, during March to October 2021. During this study, 267 grasshopper's specimens were captured from different localities of district Khairpur. The collected material was sorted into single family Acrididae, 03 subfamilies: Oedipodinae, Eyprepocnemidinae and Cyrtacanthacridinae, 06 genera: Aiolopus, Trilophidia, Locusta, Acrotylus, Heteracris and Anacridium and 07 species: Aiolopus thalassinus thalassinus, Aiolopus thalassinus tamulus, Trilophidia annulata Locusta migratoria migratoria, Acrotylus humbertianus, Heteracris littoralis, Anacridium aegyptium. The highest population of A. humbertianus with 25.84% followed by A. thalassinus thalassinus with 21.34%, H.littoralis with 17.22% and T. annulata with 12.35% and lowest population of L. migratoria migratoria with 4.49%, A. aegyptium with 6.74% and A. thalassinus tamulus with 11.98%. In the recorded 07 species A. humbertianus was the most common species found in district Khairpur Pakistan. While the rarest species was L. migratoria migratoria during this study. Additionally, taxonomic key for easily identification species is provided. The current explorative work was the new detailed work on the grasshopper's fauna from Khairpur district, Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceracris nigricornis Walker is an insect of the Acrididae, which can harm bamboo, rice, corn, sorghum and other crops, and can cause serious economic losses. In this study, based on 234 occurrence sites of C. nigricornis obtained from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and literature, and data of three future climate scenarios presented by CMIP6, two niche models (GARP, MaxEnt) were used to predict the suitable area of C. nigricornis in China. The result shows that the main environmental factors affecting the distribution of C. nigricornis are min temperature of coldest month (bio6), mean temperature of coldest quarter (bio11), precipitation of driest month (bio14) and precipitation of wettest quarter (bio16). From the result of MaxEnt model, it can be seen that the suitable area of C. nigricornis in China is 128.91 × 104 km2 under current scenario. It will decrease by 3.19% in the 2050s and then increase by 12.04% in the 2090s under the SSP1‐2.6 scenario, increase by 5.79% in the 2050s and then decrease by 7.53% in the 2090s under the SSP2‐4.5 scenario, and increase by 33.03% in 2050s and then decrease by 23.31% in the 2090s under SSP5‐8.5 scenario. From the result of GARP model, it can be seen that the suitable area of C. nigricornis in China is 166.09 × 104 km2 under current scenario. It will increase by 8.41% in 2050s and then continue to increase by 6.11% in 2090s under SSP1‐2.6 scenario, increase by 23.84% in the 2050s and then decrease by 0.88% in the 2090s under the SSP2‐4.5 scenario, and increase by 34.37% in 2050s and then decrease by 1.75% in 2090s under SSP5‐8.5 scenario. The boundaries of suitable areas will expand to the north and southwest of China under future climate change scenarios, specially in Sichuan, Chongqing and Yunnan. Local forestry authorities should strengthen the monitoring of bamboo forests to prevent the damage caused by the introduction of C. nigricornis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

World's Best Practice management of locusts and grasshoppers requires accurate forecasting that helps determine where and when surveys are preferentially conducted so that infestations can be found quickly as part of ensuring early intervention treatments. Using survey data downloaded directly into a Geographic Information System (GIS), as well as rainfall and other factors important in the population dynamics of the species concerned, models within the GIS provide forecasts of future developments. The GIS provides forecasts of likely events and is used by locust and grasshopper experts to make decisions; that is, the forecasting is part of a Decision Support System for improved locust and grasshopper management. Surveys are generally conducted by ground vehicles, but for locusts, surveys by aircraft can be an important way to rapidly find bands. In Australia, dense bands can often be seen from an aircraft flying overhead at a height of 300 m, and similar detection of bands of the desert locust by aircraft has been conducted in Somalia. Swarms can be detected by ground vehicles, but because swarms move, surveying by aircraft is also an important way of locating swarms for treatment. When locust infestations are found, they are rapidly treated as part of early intervention preventive management. However, it is generally recognized that it is extremely difficult for landholders alone to protect crops against locusts and grasshoppers, so government intervention is often necessary. These organizations use a variety of treatment techniques to reduce the amount of chemical pesticide applied either by strip spraying or treating very dense infestations, such as roosting swarms, or using biopesticides. These techniques, as used in a number of countries, have proven to be very effective in managing locust populations while reducing the risk to the natural environment and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the effect of Mimosa invisa L. weed extract application and a low dose of NPK fertilizer on the intensity of pest attack and pathogen infection on upland rice. This research has been done using Split Plot Design with 3 replications. The main plot was the dose of NPK fertilizer (50% and 100% NPK). The subplot was the concentration of weed extract (0, 1.25, 1.67, 2.5, and 5% concentrations). The variables observed include the intensity of grasshopper and case worm attack, Cercospora sp. that causes brown spots, and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae that causes bacterial leaf blight. The results showed that the application of weed extract under a low dose (50% NPK) has not been able to suppress the intensity of grasshopper and case worm attacks, and the intensity of the pathogen causes brown spots and bacterial leaf blight. However, 2,5% and 5% concentrations of weed extract can potentially suppress pathogen infection that causes brown spots on upland rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orthoptera species are vulnerable to extinction on a global scale. Greece hosts 35% (380 species) of the European Orthoptera fauna with a high degree of endemic (37%) and threatened species (37%). We sampled 46 plots (100 m2) to investigate the distribution and ecological requirement of two Greek mountain endemic and red‐listed species: Parnassiana parnassica (Ramme, 1926; Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae; Critically Endangered [CR]) and Oropodisma parnassica (Scudder, 1897; Orthoptera: Caelifera; Endangered [EN]). Species had a restricted geographical range, with two isolated populations confined to high altitudes (1527–2320 m) of Mts. Parnassos and Elikonas. Species distribution models showed that slope affected their suitable habitat, together with the topographic position index and the annual temperature range (P. parnassica), and the amount of green vegetation and evapotranspiration (O. parnassica). Connectivity analysis showed that P. parnassica‐suitable habitat consisted of few larger and well‐connected patches (26 patches: effective mesh size of 1.57 km2) and that O. parnassica‐suitable habitat consisted of more but smaller and less connected patches (56 patches: effective mesh size of 0.3 km2). Generalised linear models showed that the population density of P. parnassica was negatively influenced by the height of herbaceous vegetation and that of O. parnassica was positively influenced by altitude. The species face three main imminent threats: land take, wildfires and global warming, whereas livestock grazing seems to have a positive impact and skiing a neutral impact on their populations. We assessed both species as EN after International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria and a suite of conservation measures are suggested for their status improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morabine grasshoppers in the Vandiemenella viatica species group, which show karyotype diversity, have been studied for their ecological distribution and speciation in relation to their genetic and chromosomal diversity. They are good models for studying sex chromosome evolution as "old" and newly emerged sex chromosomes co-exist within the group. Here we present a reference genome for the viatica19 chromosomal race, that possesses the ancestral karyotype within the group. Using PacBio HiFi and Hi-C sequencing, we generated a chromosome-level assembly of 4.09 Gb in span, scaffold N50 of 429 Mb, and complete BUSCO score of 98.1%, containing 10 pseudo-chromosomes. We provide Illumina datasets of males and females, used to identify the X chromosome. The assembly contains 19,034 predicted protein-coding genes, and a total of 75.21% of repetitive DNA sequences. By leveraging HiFi reads, we mapped the genome-wide distribution of methylated bases (5mC and 6 mA). This comprehensive assembly offers a robust reference for morabine grasshoppers and supports further research into speciation and sex chromosome diversification within the group and its related species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alarm calls produced by basal prey have a well-known informative value. In multi-predator communities, mesopredators, when faced with top predators, may emit alarm calls that could inform basal prey about their lowered predation risk. To test this unexplored possibility, we conducted one field and one mesocosm experiment in which we simulated alarm and non-alarm calls from little owls (Athene noctua) as mesopredators and measured their effects on grasshoppers as prey of little owls but not of top predators. In the field experiment, we found that grasshopper species were significantly more abundant in patches where we simulated either the presence of scared little owls (alarm treatment) or no owls (control treatment) compared to patches where the presence of non-scared little owls (non-alarm treatment) was simulated. In the mesocosm experiment, locusts (Locusta migratoria) moved significantly more to exposed areas when we simulated the presence of scared little owls (alarm treatment) or of a granivorous bird (control treatment), while they moved to sheltered areas when we simulated the presence of non-scared owls (non-alarm treatment). These results show that prey could cue on predators' calls to assess their predation risk and make decisions, revealing unprecedented potential ecological consequences of alarm calls in invertebrate communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Environmental factors varying widely across altitudinal gradients contribute significantly to the intricate and diverse distribution patterns observed in insect communities. Investigating the diversity patterns in the grasshopper community along altitudinal gradients in Xizang is crucial for understanding broader trends in insect diversity. This study revealed a strong effect of altitude on grasshopper community diversity distribution in Xizang, showing that grasshopper species richness, Margalef richness index, Shannon–Wiener index, and Simpson dominance index decreased with an increase in altitude. The results of Pearson correlation analysis and hierarchical partitioning showed that temperature, moisture, and soil properties are closely related to the altitude distribution patterns of grasshopper communities. The key factors driving changes in grasshopper community diversity along altitudinal gradients include the mean annual temperature range, precipitation in the coldest season, and precipitation in the driest month. To summarize, the interplay between elevation and environmental variables significantly influences grasshopper community structure, distribution patterns, and diversity. To determine the grasshopper species composition, altitudinal distribution patterns, and their main drivers, we conducted a study in Xizang using 33 sample plots ranging from 600 to 4100 m. Grasshoppers were collected from August to October during 2020–2022 using sweep nets. A total of 1159 grasshoppers from six families, 28 genera, and 44 species were identified, with Omocestus cuonaensis and Aserratus eminifrontus as the dominant species, comprising 30.03% and 10.26% of total grasshoppers, respectively. The results showed that species richness and the Margalef richness index of grasshopper communities decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing altitude, peaking at 1100–1600 m and lowest values at 2600–3100 m. Similarly, the Shannon–Wiener index and Simpson dominance index also decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with an increase in altitude, showing the highest and lowest values at 600–1100 m and 3100–3600 m, respectively. The Jaccard similarity coefficients among grasshopper communities varied from 0 to 0.40 across altitudinal gradients, indicating different degrees of dissimilarity. The results of Pearson correlation analyses showed that the Shannon–Wiener index, species richness, Margalef richness index, and Simpson dominance index of grasshopper communities were significantly negatively correlated with the temperature factors and soil pH, but they were significantly positively correlated with the moisture factors. Hierarchical partitioning identified annual mean temperature–daily difference, precipitation in the coldest season, and driest month precipitation as the primary factors explaining variance in grasshopper community diversity in Xizang. These findings provided greater insights into the mechanisms underlying insect community structure, distribution patterns, and diversity in Xizang ecosystems, including implications for the effects of global warming on insect communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human‐induced nutrient eutrophication is a major threat to grassland biodiversity, because it promotes the dominance of fast‐growing plants. Negative impacts of fertilization on plant biodiversity may be offset by grazing by large vertebrate herbivores. However, whether grazers also mitigate impacts of nutrient addition on insects is less well understood. We use a field experiment to test how plant communities and abundances of pollinators and grasshoppers respond to nutrient addition and grazing by different assemblages of large herbivores, i.e. access by all herbivores (including cattle and horses), access by wild herbivores only (wild boar and deer), no access by large herbivores. Plant biomass increased, plant diversity decreased and community composition shifted towards lower forb cover in response to fertilization, but only in the absence of all herbivores. Flower visitation by Hymenoptera (bees and wasps), i.e. the most abundant pollinator group, was reduced by nutrient addition only in the absence of all herbivores and was positively related to flowering plant richness. In contrast, flower visitation by Diptera (e.g. hoverflies) was enhanced by fertilization, but not affected by grazing. Orthoptera (grasshopper) abundance was reduced by grazing and enhanced by nutrient addition, with positive impacts of fertilization tending to be stronger in plots with only wild or no herbivores. The abundance of grasshoppers was positively related to grass biomass. We conclude that vertebrate herbivores can offset impacts of fertilization on both plant and insect communities, making grazing by large mammals an essential tool to protect insects, particularly pollinators. Most responses to nutrient addition were only apparent in plots without any large herbivores, suggesting that wild herbivores alone could already mitigate nutrient impacts. We also show that insects with contrasting feeding guilds may be favoured by fertilized, ungrazed conditions. Therefore, creating a mosaic of patches grazed at different intensities will enhance overall insect biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In chapter 11, Suits elaborates on his previous claim that Utopian games are superior to Luddite games. Suits here discusses a game in which equality of skill and fairness are maximized, and the paradoxes produced by such a game. Bernard Suits is without a doubt one of the most influential scholars in the philosophy of sport. It recalls the nature of Utopia in which there is no need for instrumental actions and that consists fundamentally (if not exclusively) in the playing of games that makes it possible to retain enough effort in Utopia to make life worth living (Suits [2], 182-189). [Extracted from the article]

This study offers a comprehensive analysis of grasshopper diversity and distribution across different sites of Matiari district, Sindh, Pakistan during 2021-22 by using advanced statistical and ecological methodologies. This research documented ten grasshopper species, revealing significant spatial and temporal patterns. Acrotylus humertianus and Aiolopus thalassinus were widely distributed, with Acrotylus humertianus showing peak abundance in Mooro Lakho, while Oedaleus rosesense demonstrated the highest overall density, reaching up to 20 individuals per site. Notably, species richness peaked at ten species in Hala during April 2022, indicating substantial temporal variability. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) highlighted distinct ecological niches, with Acrotylus humertianus scoring highly on PC1, suggesting it thrives under specific conditions. The Shannon-Wiener Index revealed Bhit Shah and Mooro Lakho as the most diverse sites, while Simpson's Diversity Index indicated lower diversity in Saedabad. The correlation analysis showed a moderate positive relationship between temperature and grasshopper density (r = 0.452), while humidity and soil type had minimal effects. Generalized Linear Model (GLM) analysis identified Locusta migratoria as the most effective model, with the lowest Deviance, AIC, and BIC values, reflecting its optimal fit. The study emphasizes the complex interplay between environmental factors and grasshopper populations, providing crucial insights for biodiversity conservation and ecological research. These results highlight the dynamic nature of grasshopper ecology and underscore the need for targeted conservation strategies based on environmental and temporal variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the Orthoptera community in the Nara Desert, Sindh, focusing on Oedipodinae species: Hilethera aeolopoides, Aiolopus thalassinus thalassinus, Acrotylus humbertianus, Acrotylus longipes longipes, Sphingonotus rubescens rubescens, Sphingonotus savignyi, Locusta migratoria, and Oedaleus senegalensis. We assessed their population dynamics, including diversity, density, and reproductive success, using field and laboratory methods. Our results show considerable species variation S. savignyi had the highest reproductive success (Net Reproduction Rate Ro = 9.0) and largest population (27 individuals), while A. longipes longipes had the lowest reproductive rate (0.5 births per pair) and highest mortality (0.3 deaths per pair), resulting in the smallest population (5 individuals). Density varied, with L. migratoria being the least dense, and A. longipes longipes and O. senegalensis being the densest. Dominance and evenness analyses showed S.rubescens rubescens and H. aeolopoides as more ecologically influential, while A.longipes longipes and L.migratoria had higher evenness. These findings highlight the impact of reproductive efficiency and density on species abundance and ecological roles, offering key insights for conservation and management in the Nara Desert to preserve biodiversity and ecological balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study, spanning 37 years, assessed the diversity of grasshopper communities across much of the Pampas region. Ninety-five sampling sites were established in Buenos Aires and La Pampa provinces. Five zones were defined: Northeast (NE), Northwest (NW), Southeast (SE), Southwest (SW), and West (W). Each site was categorized according to the dominant vegetation. A total of fifty grasshopper species from three families were collected. Acrididae was the most diverse (41 species). Rarefaction analysis indicated that the SE was the zone with the lowest species richness (Q0). The NE, SW, and W showed higher diversity (Q1), while NE was less diverse according to Q2. The PCA revealed varying abundances of species across zones, with some species more abundant in specific areas (e.g., Dichroplus maculipennis and Borellia bruneri in SE). The highest species count (50) was in grassland with grass dominance. The CA showed significant associations between grasshopper species and different grasslands (e.g., Covasacris pallidinota, Dichroplus maculipennis, and Parorphula graminae in Halophilous grassland). Beta diversity highlighted species turnover as key component in the SW, W, and NE, while in the SE it was nestedness. In the NW, turnover and species loss components affected beta diversity. Communities were dominated by a few species, with three or four species representing over 50% of the community. Some abundant species declined or disappeared over time, while others appeared later. These results provide the first quantitative analysis of the grasshopper fauna across much of one of South America's most heavily modified ecosystems, the grasslands of the Argentine Pampas region. Implications for insect conservation: For decades, the Pampas grasslands have been undergoing a significant transformation, with the replacement of grasslands by highly productive agroecosystems. Grasshoppers are among the most abundant insects in grasslands. Therefore, understanding whether this transition to intensive agroecosystems has affected the richness and diversity of grasshoppers is an important question. The results of this study highlight the importance of long-term ecological research (37 years), which has coincided with a period of significant agricultural intensification across the region. This intensification has resulted in a homogenization and fragmentation of natural grasslands, with consequent impacts on associated fauna. The observed trends of this study probably reflect the current state of the grasshopper fauna in the Pampas during the last decades, in an increasingly managed agroecosystem context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The insects could be parasitized by a range of parasites. One of the most important parasites that attack them are Parasitengona (Acari: Prostigmata) mites. Regular sampling was done during the summer and fall seasons in the years 2021-2022 in the two northern and southern slopes of the Joghtai mountain range located in Razavi Khorasan province. The collected mite samples were separated from the shorthorned grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae) and the mite samples were transferred to microtubes containing 75% alcohol and then they were cleared in Nesbitt's Fluid and mounted on a microscope slide for identification. After identifying the samples, biodiversity and species abundance were analyzed using SPSS software. The results led to the identification of three species, Eutrombidium sorbasiensis Mayoral & Barranco, 2004, Abalakeus lorestanicus Saboori & Lachinani, 2003, Charletonia damavandica Karimi Irvanlou, Kamali & Talebi, 2002. Eutrombidium sorbasiensis was the most abundant species in all stations. The diversity of mites in the southern slope was significantly higher than the northern slope (p-value=0.005). Also, diversity was high in higher altitudes (p-value=0.001). Species richness was also significantly higher in the northern slope than in the southern slope (p-value=0.01) and species evenness in the southern slope was significantly higher than in the northern slope (p-value=0.001). The highest species richness and evenness were also seen in the high altitudes, and the low altitudes lacked richness and evenness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many animal species, larger body size is positively correlated with male mating success and female fecundity. However, in the case of insects, in high seasonality environments, natural selection favors a faster maturation that decreases the risk of pre‐reproductive death. However, this advantageous adaptation comes at a tradeoff, resulting in a reduction in body size. Maturation time is influenced by environmental factors, such as temperature, season length, and food availability during the rains. The geographic variation in these parameters provides an opportunity to study their impact on the adaptive evolution of body size in Pyrgomorphidae grasshoppers. These grasshoppers exhibit remarkable variation in body size and wing development and can be found in diverse plant communities across Africa, Asia, Australia, and tropical America. In this study, we utilized a phylogenetic approach to examine the evolution of body size, considering climatic factors, and the influence of sexual selection on size differences between males and females. We found a positive correlation between mean annual temperature and sexual size dimorphism (SSD). Remarkably, species exhibiting a strong bias toward larger females were found to be adapted to regions with higher temperatures. In the Pyrgomorphidae family, an intermediate body size was identified as the ancestral trait. Additionally, winged male and female grasshoppers were observed to be larger than their wingless counterparts. Despite the potential conflicting pressures on body size in males and females, these grasshoppers adhere to Rench's Rule, suggesting that sexual selection on males' body size may explain the evolution of SSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The use of insects as food is a hot topic today and the obtaining and comprehensive characterisation of insect meals is relevant since any scientific information represents progress towards the real use of these 'new foods'. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition of flours obtained from Sphenarium purpurascens Ch. and Nauphoeta cinerea, identify the main components and know their functional properties and thermal profile in flours and their mixtures to establish their potential applications as ingredients in the food and feed industry. The results revealed that flours and their mixtures can be used to increase the nutritional value of foods, especially thanks to their high protein content (35%–38%); in addition, their potential uses are numerous and range from baking, snacks, drinks and meat substitutes thanks to their techno‐functional and thermal properties. Regarding the thermal profile, this study presents results above 250 °C that have not been reported before for these insects and relate to the decomposition of acetylglucosamine units and the evaporation of low molecular weight volatile products that have not been reported for the flours of these insects. This study represents an advance in terms of the use of insects, pending attention to issues such as innocuity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Grasshopper species of the Stenobothrini tribe are known by the wide diversity of their premating traits, such as acoustic behavior and morphological characters. However, the phylogenetic relationships, divergence time, and phylogeography of these species inferred with the mtDNA markers (the control region and the COI gene) did not reflect the species divergence. The analysis of interspecific and intraspecific variability in the control region in two hybridizing species of this genus, S. eurasius and S. hyalosuperficies, supports the hypothesis of putative hybridization between the species and shows the direction of the mtDNA introgression. The two cryptic grasshopper species of the genus Stenobothrus, S. eurasius and S. hyalosuperficies, demonstrate different acoustic behavior despite a strong similarity in morphology. A hybridization between these species is possible in the contact zone; however, there are little molecular data about the relationships of these species. The analysis of the mtDNA control region (CR) reveals that haplotypes of S. hyalosuperficies have more in common with the more distant Stenobothrus species than with the closely related S. eurasius. In the contact zone, S. eurasius has mt-haplotypes shared with S. hyalosuperficies, which might indicate an introgression of mtDNA from S. hyalosuperficies to the S. eurasius gene pool. We also analyze the structure and evolutionary rate of the mtDNA CR for the Stenobothrus genus and estimate the time of divergence of the species within the genus. The phylogenetic tree of the tribe Stenobothrini reconstructed with either the CR or COI gave the same four groups. The phylogenetic tree of the Stenobothrus genus has a star-like topology with each mtDNA haplotype found in any analyzed species, except S. eurasius, which forms a separate branch. The maximum degree of incomplete lineage sorting can demonstrate either ancestral polymorphism or introgression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Neolithic revolution saw the independent development of agriculture among at least seven unconnected hunter-gatherer populations. I propose that the rapid spread of agricultural techniques resulted from increased climatic seasonality causing hunter-gatherers to adopt a sedentary lifestyle and store food for the season of scarcity. Their newfound sedentary lifestyle and storage habits facilitated the invention of agriculture. I present a model and support it with global climate data and Neolithic adoption dates, showing that greater seasonality increased the likelihood of agriculture's invention and its speed of adoption by neighbors. This study suggests that seasonality patterns played a dominant role in determining our species' transition to farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keats's 1816 competition sonnet 'On the Grasshopper and Cricket' is easily dismissed as juvenilia, but when read with an eye to his interest in Greek mythology, the poem rewards further attention. In particular, the myth of Tithonus, who gained eternal life without eternal youth and was transformed into either a grasshopper or cricket, situates Keats's immortal 'poetry of earth' in an ambivalent context that, in turn, makes sense of otherwise curiously neutral language. This ambivalent framing also encourages a new reading of the poem as a product of 1816, 'the year without a summer', building a case for the sonnet as an example of what Nikki Hessell has called Keats's 'botany of absence' in the 1817 Poems volume more broadly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The genus Elasmoderus is a group of the orthopteran family Tristiridae distributed across the transitional region of South America, Andean areas of Peru, Argentina, and Chile, the low-altitude desert and semidesert territories of Chile, and the steppe areas of the Argentinian and Chilean Patagonia. This genus is endemic to the extreme arid environments of north-central Chile and is famous for its adaptations to such habitats. Based on original and published data, we characterize the geographical distribution and discuss the history and ecology of this genus. Within this genus, Elasmoderus lutescens is the most widely distributed species, mainly in coastal and interior environments, followed by E. minutus, a small-sized species with a more restricted distribution range that is currently categorized as Vulnerable in Chile. Another relevant species is Elasmoderus wagenknechti, which is concentrated in coastal and interior environments of the Coquimbo region, where it can be very abundant. This species is economically significant and can damage crops and natural vegetation. Our findings highlight the importance of researching native insects to understand the role they play in semiarid ecosystems and to develop a basis for conducting long-term studies in northern Chile. The genus Elasmoderus belongs to the family Tristiridae, an orthopteran group that is distributed across the transitional region of South America and represented in the Andean areas of Peru, Argentina, and Chile. The species of Elasmoderus have morphological adaptations that make them especially suited for surviving in extreme arid environments and are an endemic and eremic group of the north-central region of Chile. On the basis of field samplings, direct observations, and a comprehensive literature review, we collected information about the genus Elasmoderus. The objectives of this research were: (i) to provide updated information on the geographical distribution range of the species of the genus Elasmoderus, and (ii) to collect and synthesize the most relevant information on the natural history and ecology of this orthopteran group as a basis for future long-term studies of its populations. Although this genus is underrepresented compared to other orthopteran families, it has developed interesting adaptations to extreme arid environments that remain unstudied to this date. E. lutescens is known to be one of the species with a wider latitudinal distribution, mostly on the coast and longitudinal valley of Atacama. E. minutus has a more restricted distribution, whereas E. wagenknechti is concentrated in coastal and interior environments of the Coquimbo region, an area where it reaches high population densities, thus affecting crops and natural vegetation and polluting water sources. Our findings underscore the importance of conducting comprehensive research on native insect groups that are poorly known but crucial for arid and semiarid ecosystems. These data will serve as a starting point for conducting long-term studies on this orthopteran group to gain a better understanding of the importance and role of these species in the semiarid ecosystems of northern Chile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In China, Oedaleus decorus asiaticus is a typical pest that poses a serious threat to Inner Mongolian grasslands. However, the large-scale monitoring and control of grasshopper is still a priority that needs to be improved, so it is particularly important to identify environmental factors that influence locust breeding and growth to reveal the role of environmental factors in the occurrence of the dominant species Oedaleus decorus asiaticus in Inner Mongolia, and to study the potential spatial distribution of Oedaleus decorus asiaticus in typical grasslands. We matched the Maxent model with remote sensing, meteorological, and geographical data to identify environmental factors associated with Oedaleus decorus asiaticus occurrence and to identify possible grasshopper habitats. These efforts could effectively reduce the cost and time investment in grasshopper management. Grasshoppers pose a significant threat to both natural grassland vegetation and crops. Therefore, comprehending the relationship between environmental factors and grasshopper occurrence is of paramount importance. This study integrated machine learning models (Maxent) using the kuenm package to screen MaxEnt models for grasshopper species selection, while simultaneously fitting remote sensing data of major grasshopper breeding areas in Inner Mongolia, China. It investigated the spatial distribution and key factors influencing the occurrence of typical grasshopper species in grassland ecosystems. The modelling results indicate that a typical steppe has a larger suitable area. The soil type, above biomass, altitude, and temperature, predominantly determine the grasshopper occurrence in typical steppes. This study explicitly delineates the disparate impacts of key environmental factors (meteorology, vegetation, soil, and topography) on grasshopper occurrence in typical steppes. Furthermore, it provides a methodology to guide early warning and precautions for grasshopper pest prevention. The findings of this study will be instrumental in formulating future management measures to guarantee grass ecological environment security and the sustainable development of grassland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parasitism is known to affect the behavior of host species to enhance parasite dispersal and transmission. However, host behavioral responses to parasitism unrelated to parasite dispersal and transmission have been much less studied. The objective of this study was to determine whether grasshopper hosts infected and uninfected with a parasitic fly (Blaesoxipha sp.) differ in terms of the nutrient content of the diet they consume. We investigated the dietary preferences of two grasshopper species (i.e. Asulconotus chinghaiensis and Chorthippus fallax) in terms of the C/N composition of plant species consumed, and determined whether this affected the egg production of unparasitized and parasitized grasshoppers by flies in a Tibetan alpine meadow. The composition of plants consumed differed significantly between the unparasitized and parasitized grasshoppers. Specifically, the abundance of N‐rich legumes was lower and that of high C/N grasses was higher in the diet of the parasitized compared to the unparasitized grasshoppers. Diet N content was higher and C/N was lower in the diet of unparasitized grasshoppers, and parasitized females produced fewer eggs than their unparasitized conspecifics. Future enquiries are needed to understand the specific mechanisms underlying these dietary differences. The effects of parasites on the fitness–associated behavior of hosts should be studied more broadly to better understand parasite evolution and adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platyrrhines consume many species of arthropods in the order Orthoptera. Some species of orthopterans can produce chemical defenses that render them toxic or unpalatable and thus act as predator deterrents. These species include the stick grasshoppers (family Proscopiidae), which are widely distributed in the Caatinga biome in northeastern Brazil, which comprises part of the distribution of capuchin monkeys. Capuchin monkeys are omnivores and consume a wide variety of foods, including unpleasant-tasting, potentially toxic items, which they need to learn how to process. We describe the processing of stick grasshoppers (Stiphra sp.) by wild capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) that live in Serra da Capivara National Park, Brazil, and compare how individuals of different age classes handle these potentially toxic food items. S. libidinosus predominantly avoided consuming the digestive tract, which contains toxic compounds, when feeding on stick grasshoppers. Immatures took longer than adults to process the stick grasshoppers, indicating that capuchins need to learn how to process the toxic digestive tract of these prey to avoid consuming it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Short-horned grasshoppers have huge economic importance. They are a well-known pest in many economically important crops, causing enormous damage. Presently, there are 120 species, 86 genera belonging to 6 families found in Manipur. Although, Manipur boasts rich grasshopper diversity, morphometric studies on short-horned grasshoppers in Manipur are limited. In the present study, a comparison of the epiphallus is made between common grasshoppers of Manipur. The length of the bridge, shape, and teeth of the lophi of the epiphallus of three grasshopper species is different although they belong to the same family. Clear differences in the epiphallus shape and lophi were observed among the specimens of short-horned grasshoppers belonging to the same family. The shape of the epiphallus, the teeth of the lophi, and the length of the bridge of the epiphallus have significance in distinguishing the specific family, genera, or species, to which the particular grasshopper belongs. Thus, further studies on the epiphallus of different grasshoppers of Manipur are needed for the proper identification of these insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mating behavior in grasshoppers is a crucial component of biocontrol strategies aimed at managing pest populations in an effective, environmentally sustainable manner. Comparative mating behavior in three Acrididae subfamilies viz: Acridinae, Hemiacridinae, and Oxyinae, are examined in this research paper, encompassing mate recognition, courtship displays, copulation, and post-copulatory behaviors. Copulatory pairs were observed under laboratory conditions. Receptive females played a vital role in pair formation. Males approach females by silently touching the female body, flying, and stridulatory songs. Males respond by mount 90° and 180° with end-end contact of genitalia. Among the species studied, Hieroglyphus oryzivorus exhibits a longer mating duration of 80.35± 31.51 hrs. and shorter in Oxyina bidentata, 70.22 ± 6.42 mins. Multiple mating attempts decrease insects' life span; among all given species, Truxalis eximia eximia live longer than others at 65.36±12.29 days. The number of eggs observed in Acrididae species ranges from 5 to more than 100 eggs per pod. The present study identifies gaps in current knowledge and suggests potential avenues for future research. Mating strategies play a vital role in the initial stages of the insect population density reproductive life cycle and in initiating any control measure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The order Orthoptera includes insects such as grasshoppers, katydids, and crickets, among which there are important species for ecosystem stability and pollination, as well as research organisms in different fields such as neurobiology, ecology, and evolution. Crickets, with more than 2,400 described species, are emerging as novel model research organisms, for their diversity, worldwide distribution, regeneration capacity, and their characteristic acoustic communication. Here we report the assembly and annotation of the first New World cricket, that of Gryllus longicercus Weissman & Gray 2019. The genome assembly, generated by combining 44.54 Gb of long reads from PacBio and 120.44 Gb of short Illumina reads, has a length of 1.85 Gb. The genome annotation yielded 19,715 transcripts from 14,789 gene models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Afrotropical grasshopper genus Pteropera Karsch, 1891, is reviewed. Some species present in Cameroon are described, Pteropera augustini Donskoff, 1981, is recorded for the first time in the country, and three new species are described from Cameroon, Pteropera kennei Yetchom & Husemann, sp. nov., Pteropera matzkei Yetchom & Husemann, sp. nov. and Pteropera missoupi Yetchom & Husemann, sp. nov., increasing the number of Pteropera species in Cameroon from eight to 12, and overall to 30 species in Central Africa. An updated key of Pteropera is provided. Photographs with data on the distributions of all known species are given. In addition, a phylogenetic tree was constructed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference on the basis of a concatenated dataset of COI, 16S, and 12S markers of available Cameroonian species. The maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses of the concatenated datasets resulted in a well-resolved phylogeny of the group and species of Pteropera were recovered as monophyletic, largely with high support. In all cases, the discrimination of all studied species based on barcode information was congruent with the species limits determined by traditional taxonomy. Our findings show the potential of integrative taxonomy to resolve the relationships among grasshoppers below the family level. Further analyses, including more comprehensive taxon sampling and additional nuclear markers, are needed, and the occurrence of several taxa still needs to be confirmed in African rainforests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of animal behaviour has often relied on tracking and recording the behaviour of a single individual. For example, for decades, gregarious locust behaviour research has used a standard assay that tracks the path of an individual in a cell, including how much time it spends next to an adjacent cell containing a group of stimulus locusts. However, this process can be time-consuming and impractical in lab and field settings. Here, we validate a complementary approach that uses spatial distribution patterns of a group of locusts in a circular arena to characterize the level of gregarious behaviour. We examined temporal variations in nearest neighbour distances as a criterion of attraction–repulsion and the successive changes of position of the individuals as a criterion of activity level. We used 3rd instar juveniles of the Migratory Locust, Locusta migratoria migratorioides (Reiche and Fairmaire1849), reared in isolated or crowded conditions. Locusts exhibit density-dependent plasticity, and crowd-rearing induces gregarious behaviour. As predicted, we found a larger nearest-neighbour distance between isolated-reared hoppers (indicating repulsion) than mass reared hoppers, which showed attraction to their conspecifics. Mass reared locusts walked greater distances, marking higher activity levels, which is another characteristic of gregarious locusts. These results indicate that this is an efficient and effective method of quantifying gregarious behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Orthoptera exhibit rich diversity in Myanmar amber, which is of significant importance for understanding the early evolution and morphology of orthopterans. Here, we report two new genera and three new species of Trigonidiidae (Orthoptera: Grylloidea) from northern Myanmar amber. They cannot be assigned to any subfamily due to their unique combination of characteristics from Trigonidiinae and Nemobiinae. These new findings contribute to expanding the diversity of fossil Trigonidiidae and enhance our understanding of the morphology of the Trigonidiidae. The abundance of insects in Burmese amber illustrates a highly diverse insect community from the mid-Cretaceous period; yet, records of crickets (Grylloidea) are notably scarce. In this study, we describe two new genera with three new species, Palaeotrigonidium concavoculus gen. et sp. nov., Palaeotrigonidium defectivus sp. nov., and Tricalcaratus longilineus gen. et sp. nov., based on three specimens collected in north Myanmar. These new species can be placed within the Trigonidiidae (Orthoptera: Grylloidea) by their triangular head, compound eyes that protrude in dorsal view, and a body entirely covered with robust setae, particularly noticeable in the head and pronotum; however, subfamily assignments are not possible. Another known species, Birmaninemobius hirsutus, Xu et al., 2020, from Myanmar amber is redescribed based on a new specimen and a recheck of the holotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) has been used extensively to investigate phylogenetic relationships at various taxonomic levels. Insect mitochondrial genomes are important for understanding insect evolution and relationships. We performed complete mitogenome sequencing and annotation for nine Meconematinae species and combined the data with data from previously assembled mitochondrial genomes in the family Tettigoniidae to conduct a phylogenetic analysis. The monophyly of Xizicus, Xiphidiopsis, and Phlugiolopsis was not well supported in our findings. Currently, the subfamily Meconematinae encompasses 1029 species, but whole-mitochondrial-genome assemblies have only been made available for 13. In this study, the whole mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of nine additional species in the subfamily Meconematinae were sequenced. The size ranged from 15,627 bp to 17,461 bp, indicating double-stranded circular structures. The length of the control region was the main cause of the difference in mitochondrial genome length among the nine species. All the mitogenomes including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), 2 ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs) and a control region (CR). The majority strand encoded 23 genes, and the minority strand encoded 14 genes. A phylogenetic analysis reaffirmed the monophyletic status of each subfamily, but the monophysitism of Xizicus, Xiphidiopsis and Phlugiolopsis was not supported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bilateral symmetry is widespread across animals, yet, among bilaterians, many cases of conspicuous asymmetries evolved. This means that bilaterally homologous structures on the left and right sides display divergent phenotypes. The evolution of such divergent phenotypes between otherwise similarly shaped structures can be thought to be favored by modularity, but this has rarely been studied in the context of left-right differences. Here, we provide an empirical example, using geometric morphometrics to assess patterns of asymmetry and covariation between landmark partitions in a grasshopper with conspicuously asymmetric mandibles. Our morphometric data confirm the presence of strictly directional conspicuous asymmetry in the mandibles and surrounding structures. Covariance patterns and tests hint at a strong integration between mandibles despite their divergent morphologies, and variational modularity with the head capsule. While mandibles have been selected to achieve a key-and-lock morphology by having interlocking shapes, the developmental modularity required to achieve this seems to be overwritten by developmental and/or functional integration, allowing the precise matching required for feeding. The consequent conflicting covariation patterns are reminiscent of the palimpsest model. Finally, the degree of directional asymmetry appears to be under selection, although we find no relationship between bite force and mandible shape or asymmetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Species responses to global warming will depend on intraspecific diversity, yet studies of factors governing biogeographic patterns of variability are scarce. Here, we investigate the evolutionary processes underlying genetic and phenotypic diversity in the flightless and cold‐adapted grasshopper Sigaus piliferus, and project its suitable space in time. Location: Te Ika‐a‐Māui Aotearoa—North Island of New Zealand. Methods: We used mitochondrial sequences to investigate population connectivity and demographic trends using phylogeographic tools and neutrality statistics. Metric data were used to document phenotypic variation using naïve clustering. We used niche metrics to assess intraspecific niche variation, and niche modelling to investigate suitability under past and future scenarios. Multiple matrix regressions with randomization explored the processes contributing to phenotypic differentiation among grasshopper populations. Results: Niche models and demographic analyses suggest suitable space for this grasshopper was more restricted during glacial than interglacial stages. Genealogical relationships among ND2 haplotypes revealed a deep north–south split partly concordant with phenotypic and niche variation, suggesting two ecotypes that have mixed during recolonisation of the central volcanic region. Multiple matrix regressions with randomization indicate a link between climate and phenotypic differentiation inferred from leg and pronotum dimensions but not pronotum shape. Niche projections predict severe habitat reduction due to climate warming. Main conclusions: The current distribution and intraspecific diversity of S. piliferus reflect complex biogeographical scenarios consistent with Quaternary climates and volcanism. Phenotypic divergence appears adaptive. Current levels of genetic and phenotypic variation suggest adaptive potential, yet the pace of anthropogenic warming over the next 50 years could result in small populations that may collapse before adapting. Differences in niche features between diverging intraspecific lineages suggest distinct responses to climate change, and this has implications for prioritising conservation actions and management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the ongoing global extinction, conservationists must prioritize future conservation investments to ensure that such measures are biologically effective and economically viable. To propose an effective conservation plan for Orthoptera assemblages on Cyprus Island, we introduce the Standardized Conservation Index (StCI), a biodiversity index accounting for the conservation value (ci), presence, dispersal ability, endemism and conservation status of a species. We evaluated the effect of eleven environmental variables on StCI, ci, species richness and the Shannon–Wiener diversity index, using linear and generalized linear models. Species and environmental data were collected in 60 localities that were placed along four elevational zones and included seven habitat types. Our results revealed the importance of rural mosaics and forests for the conservation of Orthoptera. The Shannon–Wiener diversity index failed to show the importance of high-altitude forests. The Orthoptera species diversity was favored by flower heads and the soil humidity, while rock cover and high shrubs had a positive and negative effect, respectively, on the StCI and ci values. Our results underline the value of StCI in complementing traditional diversity indices, as a scale-independent index that can be used for different taxa to prioritize sites of conservation concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selection of attributes has become a crucial research focus in the domains of pattern recognition, machine learning, and big data analysis. In essence, the contemporary challenge revolves around reducing dimensionality while maintaining both a quick response time and improved classification performance. Metaheuristics algorithms (MAs) have emerged as pivotal tools in addressing this issue. Firstly, the problem of attribute selection was approached using the manta ray foraging optimization (MRFO) approach, but the majority of MAs suffer from a problem of convergence toward local minima. To mitigate this challenge, an enhanced variant of MRFO, known as MRFOSCA, employs trigonometric operators inspired by the sine cosine algorithm (SCA) to tackle the feature selection problem. The k-nearest neighbor (k-NN) technique is employed for feature-set selection. Additionally, the statistical significance of the proposed algorithms is assessed using the nonparametric Wilcoxon's rank-sum test at a 5% significance level. The outcomes are assessed and compared against some well-known MAs, including the original MRFO and SCA, as well as Harris Hawks optimizer, dragonfly algorithm, grasshopper optimizer algorithm, whale optimizer algorithm, salp swarm algorithm, and grey wolf optimizer. The experimental and comparison analyses validate the pretty effective performance of the proposed methods on low- and high-dimensional datasets by providing the highest accuracy in 85% of the feature selection benchmarks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the genus Leptus, L. (L.) brevitarsus sp. n., is described and illustrated from ectoparasitic larvae collected from grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in Australia. The new species belongs to the phalangii species group and torresianus species subgroup. An updated key to species of torresianus species subgroup is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey on orthoptera in the transition zone between the Patagonian and Subantarctic regions of Argentina, along the Atlantic coast, was conducted to improve knowledge on these insects, which in these extreme areas have evolved into peculiar species, indicative to understand the biogeographical limits of this order of insects. New data have emerged on highly specialized genera such as Bufonacris and Astroma while other more generalist genera such as Sinipta have shown considerable expansion southwards, probably favoured by warmer climatic conditions. A new genus and species are described here for the first time: Caimanellus gen. nov. with the species Caimanellus australis sp. nov., at present the southernmost representative of the Phaneropterinae ever recorded. More general considerations on the evolution of the distributional limits of this large group of orthopterans are here discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Ecosystems are frequently considered to be controlled by predation (top‐down). Experiments examined this in four bird/spider/grasshopper/prairie habitats over 34 years, employing in each habitat three 100 m2 bird exclosures and controls (121 habitat/year cases) where plant, grasshopper, and spider abundances were measured. Top‐down control (plants decrease and grasshoppers increase with bird exclusion) was observed in only 13.2% of cases, while plants increased and grasshoppers decreased in 33.1% of cases, plants decreased and grasshoppers decreased in 25.6% of cases, and plants increased and grasshoppers increased in 28.1% of cases. Therefore, top‐down control was not common and system responses were not constant, but varied among sites, years, and directionally over time with climate change. This diversity of responses is expected given the variety of underlying processes in complex ecosystems. For example, decision tree/discriminant analysis found that plant decreases and increases with bird exclusion were correctly identified in 78.3% of cases by grasshopper hatchling abundance, plant cover, and annual net primary production (ANPP), while grasshopper decreases and increases with bird exclusion were correctly identified in 76.7% of cases by edible plant biomass per grasshopper hatchling, grasshopper hatchling abundance, and large grasshopper abundance. Analysis of other system‐wide terrestrial trophic experiments indicates that the variety of responses observed by us over time and space may be common so that system‐wide trophic responses may, in general, be more variable than either top‐down or bottom‐up as often considered.

Species diversity at different altitudes exhibits different variation patterns. In alpine ecosystems, species migration from low to high altitudes has changed the intensity of interspecific competition and association, inevitably adjusting or changing the existing prevention and control objects and strategies. In this context, selecting a typical area to probe the variations in species diversity and interspecific competition and association is imperative. Thus, this study investigated the diversity of locusts and grasshoppers at 400 m intervals in the grasslands at different altitudes in the Ili River basin of China. The responses of locusts (or grasshoppers) diversity, ecological niche, and interspecific association to altitudinal variations were comprehensively analyzed using univariate linear regression and redundancy analysis. The results showed that the diversity of locusts and grasshoppers declined with rising altitude. Average vegetation height and wind velocity significantly affected the diversity of locusts and grasshoppers at altitudes of 1,000–1,400 and 1,400–1,800 m, respectively. The vegetation dominance, aspect, and relative humidity significantly affected the diversity of locusts and grasshoppers at 1,800–2,200 m. Nonetheless, no ecological factor significantly affected the diversity of locusts and grasshoppers at ≤ 1,000 m. Before 1,400 m, the rise in altitude intensified the interspecific competition and tightened interspecific relationships. From 1,400 m, the interspecific competition was weakened, and interspecific relationships were loosened. Calliptamus italicus, Oedaleus decorus, and Calliptamus barbarus were the dominant locust taxa in the Ili River basin, with C. italicus and O. decorus being distributed at multiple altitudes, especially within ≤ 1,800 m. The high population density of C. italicus and O. decorus within this range required intensive monitoring and control. By contrast, Egnatius apicalis and Conophyma sp. were sparsely distributed within the > 1,400 m range, posing challenges in collection of locusts and grasshoppers. Therefore, protective measures should be taken to increase insect diversity in grasslands.

Orthoptera is one of the most conspicuous groups of insects in any landscape. However, limited data on this group of insects have been published for European Russia. This article describes an occurrence dataset providing primary data on Orthoptera and Mantodea in European Russia, covering areas from the Kaluga region to Tatarstan and from the Nizhny Novgorod region to the Saratov region. A notable aspect of the dataset is the using of a wide range of sample methods, including acoustic observation, sweep net, pitfall traps, Malaise traps, pan traps, window traps, and beer traps. In total, 64.238 specimens were sampled across 1,186 plots. The dataset includes 7.095 occurrences representing 91 species of Orthoptera and 1 species of Mantodea. The number of plots, occurrences, and specimens is provided for each species in the article. The contribution of different sampling methods to insect identification is discussed. The latitudinal and longitudinal distributions of the species within the study area are analyzed.

An insect's living systems-circulation, respiration, and a branching nervous system-extend from the body into the wing. Wing hemolymph circulation is critical for hydrating tissues and supplying nutrients to living systems such as sensory organs across the wing. Despite the critical role of hemolymph circulation in maintaining healthy wing function, wings are often considered "lifeless" cuticle, and flows remain largely unquantified. High-speed fluorescent microscopy and particle tracking of hemolymph in the wings and body of the grasshopper Schistocerca americana revealed dynamic flow in every vein of the fore- and hindwings. The global system forms a circuit, but local flow behavior is complex, exhibiting three distinct types: pulsatile, aperiodic, and "leaky" flow. Thoracic wing hearts pull hemolymph from the wing at slower frequencies than the dorsal vessel; however, the velocity of returning hemolymph (in the hindwing) is faster than in that of the dorsal vessel. To characterize the wing's internal flow mechanics, we mapped dimensionless flow parameters across the wings, revealing viscous flow regimes. Wings sustain ecologically important insect behaviors such as pollination and migration. Analysis of the wing circulatory system provides a template for future studies investigating the critical hemodynamics necessary to sustaining wing health and insect flight.