STUDIES ON THE IMMATURE STAGES OF OXYA VELOX (FABRICIUS) A RICE GRASSHOPPER FROM DISTRICT JAMSHORO, SINDH, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Grasshoppers are polyphagous insect pest. They cause considerable damage to many precious crops. Amongst these pest species Oxya is reported as severe pest to rice in many countries of world including Pakistan. The immature stages of Oxya velox (F.) has been studied in this paper. Oxya comprises on sixth nymphal instars. These hoppers appear to be more epidemic than the adults, because they have no functional wings and are unable to fly and all the time they eat; hence cause more damage than the adult. In addition to this, morphological description of various nymphal instars, identification key and measurements of different body parts are also provided. This will, hopefully be useful in plants protection