Heteracris adspersa (Redtenbacher, 1889)

Figs 36, 37, 38

References for Socotra.

Popov (in Uvarov and Popov (1957)): 375 [as Thisoicetrus sp.]; Grunshaw 1991: 39; Guichard 1992: 186; Wranik 2003: 322, plate 155; Rowell and Hemp 2017: 178.

Diagnostic notes.

Diagnostic for Heteracris adspersa within its genus is a rounded subgenital plate with two tubercles in males, a yellow-brown or light green side of the head, a distinctive yellowish stripe behind the eyes and reddish distal halves of the hind tibiae. Markings on the external side of the hind femora are always rather extensive and reach the middle line (Figs 36, 38).

Distribution and occurrence.

H. adspersa is distributed along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts of North Africa, southern Europe and Arabia east to India (Grunshaw 1991). On Socotra, the species seems to be rare, restricted to Shuab and Neet in the west (Fig. 37).

Habitat and biology.

The habitat is strictly coastal, from 0–8 m a. s. l. The species can be abundant in Arthrocnemum macrostachyum and Aerva javanica at Neet, as observed in 2010. Popov (in Uvarov and Popov (1957)) observed some specimens of unknown identification, but probably belonging to this species, at the same site (Ghublet Nait). Records are from March, June and October.