Reproductive Behavioral Observations of Two Isopsera Species (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae) under Laboratory Conditions

Abstract

Observations on the reproductive behavior of Isopsera spinosa Ingrisch 1990 and I. pedunculata Brunner von Wattenwyl 1878 were made in the laboratory. Specimens were collected from different districts of Sindh, including Matiari, Mirpurkhas, Tando Allah Yar, Hyderabad, and Badin, from various habitats such as wheat fields, mango orchards, guava farms, and grassy areas. A total of sixty adult katydids were taken from the wild, paired, and raised in the laboratory (25°23'N, 68°24'E) under relative humidity ranging from 26% to 61% and temperature fluctuations between 28 ± 2°C and 39 ± 2°C. These conditions closely resembled the field environment. The insects were provided with grass and moistened feeding pellets (comproids). Eggs were collected daily from oviposition trays and transferred to Petri dishes placed on the chamber floor. Fresh food and water were supplied regularly. The optimal time for copulation in both species was similar, occurring in the morning. The duration of oviposition was 33 min for Isopsera spinosa and 53 min for I. pedunculata. The eggs' size, shape, color, and texture were analyzed. For Isopsera spinosa, egg measurements were 5.17–5.22 mm in length and 1.3–1.5 mm in width, while for I. pedunculata, the dimensions were 5.3–5.46 mm in length and 1.4–1.6 mm in width. Differences in the reproductive behaviors of Isopsera spinosa and I. pedunculata were also noted. The exploration of reproductive activities will be beneficial for implementing control measures at appropriate times.