Journal of Research in Ecology An International Scientific Research Journal

Original Research

Does distribution of Acridomorpha is influenced by parasitoid attack? A

model with Scelio aegyptiacus (Priesner, 1951) in the experimental farm
Journal of Research in Ecology

Authors:
ABSTRACT:
ElSayed WM
Abu ElEla SA and In a survey of the Acridomorpha assemblage in two different sampling
Eesa NM localities I and II at an experimental farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University-ten
different species had been recorded. These species were belonging to two subfamilies
and representing ten tribes. Family Acrididae was found to exhibit the highest number
of tribes (8 tribes and 8 species) whereas, family Pyrgomorphinae was represented by
Institution: only two tribes harboring two species. The current research provides an attempt to
Department of Entomology,
point out the significance of Scelio aegyptiacus (Priesner, 1951) potential
Faculty of Science,
parasitoidism on natural acridomorphine populations through examining the egg-
Cairo University,
pods. It was clear that only three acridomorphine species; Aiolopus thalassinus
Giza-12613-Egypt.
(Fabricius, 1798), Acrotylus patruelis (Herrich-Schäffer, 1838) and Pyrgomorpha conica
(Olivier, 1791), were virtually attacked by the hymenopterous S. aegyptiacus (Priesner,
1951).

Keywords:
Parasitoidism, Acridomorpha, Scelio aegyptiacus, Stenophagous, presence-
absence.

Corresponding author: Article Citation:

El-Sayed WM ElSayed WM,Abu ElEla SA and Eesa NM
Does distribution of Acridomorpha is influenced by parasitoid attack? A model with
Scelio aegyptiacus (Priesner, 1951) in the experimental farm
Journal of Research in Ecology (2016) 4(1): 030-037
Email Id:
Dates:
Received: 08 March 2016 Accepted: 18 March 2016 Published: 13 April 2016

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Journal of Research 030-036 | JRE | 2016| Vol 4 | No 1

in Ecology
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Scientific Research Journal www.ecologyresearch.info

INTRODUCTION
Grasshoppers and locusts are known worldwide
for the enormous damage they cause to agricultural crops
and pastures, imposing untold burdens on the economy
of many nations. These insects can be found in various
habitats, as well as the more diverse and familiar species
could be found in grasslands and forests (Peveling et al.,
1999; Shahpa, 2003; Abu ElEla et al., 2012). Different
Acridopmorpha species are common and abundant in
Egypt and most of them complete their metamorphosis
by the end of August without diapause (Shahpa, 2003).
A good number of Orthoptera species are well
documented in Egypt (Shahpa, 2003). Many studies have
been performed on Orthoptera, and in particular
Acridomorpha, including taxonomy, Ecology,
Physiology and pest control. However, from the
available literature, little is known concerning Scelio
aegyptiacus (Priesner, 1951) potential parasitoidism on
the egg-pods of the Egyptian acridomorphine species.
The first described member of Scelio was carried
out by Walker (1839) from the specimens of Australia.
Dangerfield et al. (2001) have pointed out that Scelio is
one of the largest genera of Scelionids with more than
225 described species. They are considered as obligate
endoparasitoids of eggs of different grasshoppers and
locusts (Riffat et al., 2013). It also demonstrated a
definite resistance to parasite survival on the part of
some host species and considerable immunity on the part
of others, either as to attack by the parasite, or as to the
establishment in the host.
Members of Family Scelionidae are considered
as the only true parasitoids of grasshopper eggs (Ghahari
et al., 2009). The North American species of Scelionidae
that develop as parasites in the eggs of grasshoppers
belong to two genera: the genus Scelio, which contains
about 19 species, and the genus Synoditella, represented
by two species (Muesebeck, 1972).
Scelio species occur throughout the world
wherever grasshoppers are found (Ghahari et al., 2009).
031
ElSayed et al., 2016
It was noted that only a single wasp develops within a
grasshopper egg and the Scelio adults live only a very
short time, usually no more than three weeks under the
best conditions. The sex ratio varies among species, but
there are usually more females than males by a
considerable margin (Lakin, 1994; Dysart, 1995; Baker
et al., 1996; Dangerfield et al., 2001; Ghahari et al.,
2009).
In the present study only one factor, the
parasitoidism of S. aegyptiacus (Priesner, 1951), was
taken into consideration on the probable effect on the egg
-pods of Acridomorpha species inhabiting two localities
in the experimental farm of the faculty of Agriculture,
Giza Governorate, Egypt.
The effects of parasitoidism were studied in
terms of number of egg-pods of different acridomorphine
species attacked, degree, and synchronization of the
parasitoid with the general habitats of the hosts as an
attempt to establish a corner stone for future importance
of S. aegyptiacus (Priesner, 1951) parasitoidism in
regulating natural Acridomorpha populations in Egypt.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study site
Regular weekly field excursions were performed
during the summer season for sampling and collecting
different acridomorphine egg-pods from two main
localities (I and II) located in the experimental farm at
the Faculty of Agriculture, Giza, Egypt (30°.0246´ N,
31°.1925´ E) (Fig. 1). The two localities (I and II) were
part of the general plane of Giza Governorate and were
not a part of national park or protected area. The northern
border of the study site was surrounded by Safet El
Laban Corridor while urban areas and abodes
surrounding other borders. The general topography of the
experimental farm is a flat area devoid of any elevations.
Collection of egg-pods
Locating the egg-pods in the soil is, most often, a
lengthy and difficult task since finding pods in the soil
Journal of Research in Ecology (2016) 4(1): 030-037
ElSayed et al., 2016

Figure. 1. Map of the Study area: (a) Map of Egypt showing Giza Gover-
norate; (b) aerial photograph showing the study area (dotted circle); and
(c) the two main sampling localities (I and II).

iss so unpredictable, and it is easy to miss egg-pods
(Kaltenbach, 1965; Flook and Rowell, 1998; Ghahari et
al., 2009). Accordingly, the egg-pods were collected
from the most favored ovipositional sites of adult female
acridomorphine species where pods would be expected
from pits appeared in the ground surface that could
contain pods (Waloff, 1950; Khalifa, 1956; Chapman and
Robertson, 1958; Chapman, 1961; Shah et al., 1998;
Shahpa, 2003; ElShazly and ElSayed, 2006; Abu ElEla et
al., 2012). Thus, searches were thoroughly took place
along the edges of the cultivated fields, along the lines of
the irrigating trenches, on yards of wild vegetations,
lower branches of shrubs and bushes. Excavations were
performed using bare hands and short handle-machetes
where soil litters were removed. These searches were
extended to a radius of ca. 3 meter from the main trunk
of these bushes or shrubs.
The soil was scraped carefully with short-handle
hoe in order to expose any egg-pod which might have
been presented at a depth of 20-120 mm as suggested by
Zafari and Qazi (1989); Shah et al. (1998); ElShazly and
ElSayed (2006); Riffat and Wagan (2009). Pods were
lifted using small stainless steel scoop and these pods
were deposited singly in labeled empty glass jam jars
(250 ml, 6 cm Ø and 11 cm deep). The openings of these
jars were covered with cotton muslin by means of
ordinary rubber bands before transportation to the
laboratory. Care was taken to keep the jars moist for
further analysis. The pods and the eggs were carefully
examined for the presence of parasitoidism. Fifty egg-
pods, from each of the collected Acridomorpha species,
were examined for the presence of parasitoids. Collected
parasitoids were collected using fine forceps and
immediately preserved in a solution of 70% ethyl alcohol
and glycerol in an attempt to keep the collected
specimens in good conditions for further examination.
Scrutinized examinations of the collected parasitoids
were performed using binocular stereo-microscope at
magnification of 40X.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Our present investigation yielded 500 egg-pods

Journal of Research in Ecology (2016) 4(1): 030-037 032

 ElSayed et al., 2016

belonging to 10 different Acridomorpha species in the

two localities (I and II) in the experimental farm of the

Grassland and wild

Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University. These species

vegetations (II)
were represented by two families and 10 tribes (table 1).
Family Acrididae was found to exhibit the highest
Table 1. Parasitoidism by Scelio aegyptiacus (Priesner, 1951) on different Acridomorpha species inhabiting two localities

++
++
+-

+-
+-
number of tribes (8 tribes and 8 species) whereas family

+
+
+
+
Locality of Egg-pods

-
Pyrgomorphinae was represented by only two tribes
with its vicinity
Cultivated area

harboring two species (table 1). Only five

acridomorphine species were found to deposit their egg-
pods in the two localities (I and II) as indicated in table
(I and II) at the experimental farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University.

++

++
++

++
(I)

+
-

-
-
- (1). The egg-pods of four acridomorphine species; A.
No. of Scelio aegyp-

pellucida (Klug, 1830), O. gracilis (Krauss, 1902), S.

tiacus/ 50 egg-pods

carinatus (Saussure, 1888) and T. nasuta (Linnaeus,

1758), were collected from grassland and wild
vegetations (locality II) reflecting their preference for
Nil

Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
11

16

locality II as preferred ovipositional sites (table 1). It has

2

to be mentioned that these four species represented the

least number of collected egg-pods. The egg-pods of P.
Chrotogonus hamalodemus (Blanchard, 1836)
Calephorus comprissicornis (Latreille, 1804)
Acrotylus patruelis (Herrich-Schäffer, 1838)

conica (Olivier, 1791) was found to be abundant in

Sphingoderus carinatus (Saussure, 1888)

locality I and completely absent in locality II as indicated

Aiolopus thalassinus (Fabricius, 1781)

Pyrgomorpha conica (Olivier, 1791)

Heteracris littoralis (Rambur, 1838)

in table (1).
Ochrilidia gracilis (Krauss, 1902)

Truxalis nasuta (Linnaeus, 1758)

A rapid glance on table (1) is ample to show that

Acrida pellucid (Klug, 1830)

the egg-pods of only three acridomorphine species; A.

Acridomorpha species

patruelis (Herrich-Schäffer, 1838), C. comprissicornis

(Latreille, 1804) and H. littoralis (Rambur, 1838), were
- = Absent, +- = Occasional, + = Present, ++ = Abundant

occasionally collected from locality II and being absent

in locality I.
During the investigation, only individuals
belonging to one species of the parasitoid; Scelio
aegyptiacus (Priesner, 1951) (Hymenoptera:
Euprepocnemidini

Pyrgomorphini

Scelionidae), were recorded to attack the virtual egg-

Chrotogonini
Epacromiini
Calephorini

Sphingotini
Ochrilidini
Acrotylini

pods of certain Acridomorpha species. The female

Truxalini
Acridini
Tribe

scelionid, S. aegyptiacus (Priesner, 1951), was

stenophagous and observed to oviposit in the egg-pods
predominantly those of A. thalassinus (Fabricius, 1781)
Pyrgomorphidae

(16 egg-pods were parasitoized out of 50 pods) and A.

Acrididae

patruelis (Herrich-Schäffer, 1838) (11 egg-pods were

Family

parasitoized out of 50 pods) (table 1). However, the egg-

pods of C. hamalodemus (Blanchard, 1836) were
033 Journal of Research in Ecology (2016) 4(1): 030-037
ElSayed et al., 2016
occasionally attacked by S. aegyptiacus (Priesner, 1951)
where only two egg-pods were parasitoized out of 50
pods (table 1).
As shown in table (1), the egg-pods of A.
thallassinus (Fabricius, 1781) was found to be the most
dominant acridomorphine species (table 1) being
abundant in both localities (I and II). This was preceded
by A. patruelis (Herrich-Schäffer, 1838) and C.
comprissicornis (Latreille, 1804).
Indeed, the egg-pods of three Acridomorpha
species, A. pellucida (Klug, 1830), T. nasuta (Linnaeus,
1758) and O. gracilis (Krauss, 1902), were completely
devoid of S. aegyptiacus (Priesner, 1951) as indicated in
table (1). Moreover, the egg-pods of S. carinatus
(Saussure, 1888) did not, apparently, show any sign of S.
aegyptiacus (Priesner, 1951) as shown in table (1).
In general, the eggs and egg-pods of different
Acridomorpa species inhabiting the experimental farm of
the Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University showed that
the rate of the parasitoidism was rather low; out of 500
specimens examined, only three species were found to
harbour the parasitic S. aegyptiacus (Priesner, 1951),
showing the overall value of 5.8% parasidoidism. The
highest parasitoidism was confined to A. thalassinus
(Fabricius, 1781) (value of 32% parasitoidism).This
acridomorphine species proved to be more readily
parasitoized since it has greater ecological plasticity
(Zafari and Qazi, 1989; Shahpa, 2003; ElShazly and
ElSayed, 2006). The second highest parasitoidism was
observed in A. patruelis (Herrich-Schäffer, 1838) with a
value of 22% parasitoidism while the least value of
parasitoidism (4%) was recorded for the chrotogonid
acridid C. hamalodemus (Blanchard, 1836). This could
indicate that S. aegyptiacus (Priesner, 1951) has
relatively narrow host range in the selected localities (I
and II) in the experimental farm of the Faculty of
Agriculture, Cairo University. This finding is in contrary
with that of Riffat and Wagan (2009) since they collected
a large number of this parasitoid species from the egg-
Journal of Research in Ecology (2016) 4(1): 030-037
pods of Hieroglyphus perpolita (Uvarov, 1033), H.
oryzivorus (Carl, 1916) and H. nigrorepletus (I. Bolivar,
1912) from localities in Pakistan. Moreover, in Australia,
parasitism by Scelio species at certain sites has been
recorded in up to 90% of the egg-pods (Maïga et al.,
2008).
In accordance with our results, Prior and
Greathead (1989) estimated that scelionid egg parasites
(Scelio spp.) were the predominant cause of egg
mortality in solitary locust populations in Africa.
However, scelionids were rather ineffective mortality
factors in the egg pods of gregarious species, such as the
desert locust. In the study areas of Dysart (1995) in
Montana and North Dakota, Scelio parasitism never
reached such high levels. Dysart (1995) found that a
complex of four species of Scelio parasitized about 11
percent of the egg-pods.
From prospective view, the authors offer four
main points; first of all is that S. aegyptiacus (Priesner,
1951) is non-selective in finding its host since it could
parasitoize more than on species of Acridomorpha in the
study site (table 1). The second point is that S.
aegyptiacus (Priesner, 1951) was found to depend, to a
great extent, on the abundance of the host and in turn the
abundance of the hosts’ egg-pods. Thirdly, the scelonid
wasp was found to avoid, completely, the graminivorous
species and S. carinatus (Saussure, 1888) (species
inhabiting locality I) since these species live, feed and
oviposit beside graminous or, presumably, spiny plant
species that persist in comparatively harsh, relatively dry
and with different microclimatic conditions that could
affect the potential reproduction and/or the progeny S.
aegyptiacus (Saussure, 1888). Finally, this
hymenopterous stenophagous parasitoid may hold the
difficulties in search and find an egg-pod as a host of
acridomorphine species inhabiting dense vegetation as in
the case of H. littoralis (Rambur, 1838) from which the
egg-pods of this species were collected from locality I.
In the present study, the consideration of
034

parasitoidism of Scelio aegyptiacus (Priesner, 1951) as a
mere key-factor affecting the natural populations of
Acridomorpha species did not imply that parasitoidism
alone would regulate the abundance or the distribution of
such acridomorphine species. Indeed, in
situations, at least, it appeared that the populations'
distribution of Acridomorpha species could exert a
significant impact on the potential parasitoidism of S.
aegyptiacus (Rambur, 1838).
Criddle (1917), Parker (1935) and others
mentioned that weather conditions are
responsible for grasshopper abundance in western
Canada, but little reference are available to the potential
restraining effects of parasitoidism in the
populations. Smith (1961) declared that grasshopper
numbers fluctuate in response to a changing complex of
factors, of which natural enemies and weather are the
most important factors.
As a conclusion, parasitoidism by S. aegyptiacus
(Priesner, 1951), alone, was indicated as probably having
no or very limited regulatory effect on the size of
populations of Acridomorpha species inhabiting the
selected localities I and II. It is important to investigate
more key-factors including parasitism, predation, and
mechanisms driving community assembly (Rominger et
al., 2009), as well as on the analysis of the environmental
factors controlling temporal and spatial distribution of
the investigated community (Rominger et al., 2009;
Zhou et al., 2012; Abdel Rahman et al., 2015).
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