Pyrgomorpha conica (Olivier, 1791)

Usmani, Mohammad Kamil, 2008, Studies on Acridoidea (Orthoptera) with some new records from Fezzan, Libya, Zootaxa 1946, pp. 1-41 : 16-17

11. Pyrgomorpha conica (Olivier, 1791)

Diagnosis: This species is very similar to P. cognata in general appearance but can be separated from the latter by its elongated head and vertex as long as or longer than length of eyes; a minute, obtuse- angled protuberance on rounded, anterior portion of posterior-inferior corner of lateral prostenal lobe.

Habitats: Like P. cognata , this species also prefers dry habitats where they may feed on shrubs. This species is entirely herbivorous and occurs in large numbers in both adult and hopper stages on various crops. Pairs in copulation were commonly observed. Forbs feeders, also eat millet.

Material examined: Al Shati Region: Ashkidah , 3 ♂, 4 ♀, on grass, 2i. x.1994 ; Brack , 5 ♂, 5 ♀, on alfalfa, 24.xi.1994 ; Mahrugah , 5 ♂, 7 ♀, on alfalfa, vegetable, 24.xi.1994 ; Qardah , 3 ♂, 2 ♀, on grass vine, 15 xii.1994 ; Qattah , 1 ♂, 2 ♀, on grass- parsly, 15.vii.1995 ; Qirah , 6 ♂, 9 ♀, on parsly- carrot, 1.xi.1994 ; Ququm 7 ♂, 5 ♀, on alfalfa grass, 29.x.1994 ; Tamzawah , on mint- parsly, 13.iv.1995 ; Tarut , 3 ♂, 1 ♀, on grass, 13.iv.1995 ; Zahra , 1 ♂, 1 ♀, on vegetable, 15.xii.1994 ; Zalwaz 10 ♂, 2 ♀, on vegetable, 15.v.1995 . Ghat region: Al Awaynat , 3 ♂, 5 ♀, on alfalfa- grass, 20.vii.1995 ; Al Barkat , 3 ♀, on dry grass, 19.vii.1995 . Murzuk region: Al Qatrun , 9 ♂, 18 ♀, on egg plant & wild grass, 15.v.1993 ; Al Sbitat , 17 ♂, 7 ♀, on bean & great mil- let, 23.vi.1993 ; Bani-Hilal , 2 ♂, 4 ♀, on vegetable, 23.vi.1993 ; Hemmera , 2 ♂, 8 ♀, on grass & vegetable, 9.i.1994 ; Marhaba , 2 ♂, 8 ♀, on alfalfa, 11.xii.1993 ; Misquwin , 2 ♀, on grass, 8.i.1994 ; Murzuq, 24 ♂, 18 ♀, on grass, vegetable & marrow, 5.v.1993 ; Tegrutin , 8 ♂, 6 ♀, on alfalfa, 11.xii.1993 ; Traghan , 4 ♂, on alfalfa & vegetable, 27.v.1993 ; Tsawah , 3male, 2 ♀, on grass, 11.xii.1993 ; Um-Al Aranib , 2 ♂, on barley, 8.i.1994 ; Zizaw , 1 male, 1 ♀, on alfalfa & grass, 13.iv.1993 ; Zuwaylah , 6 ♂, 6 ♀, on alfalfa & grass, 8.i.1994 . Sebha Region: Ghodwa , 3 ♂, 4 ♀, on alfalfa 13.iv.1993 ; Sanmu , 2 ♂,on dry grass, 1.v.1995 ; Sebha, 4 ♂, 9 ♀, on grape-grass, 18.v.1995 ; Tamanhant , 4 ♂, 5 ♀, on alfalfa, 18.v.1994 .

Localities: Cyrenaica: Agedabia, Ain Mara, Barca, Bengasi, Cirene, Derna. Giarabub, Marmarica, Merg, Porto Bardia, Tecnis, Tobruk, Tocra, Tolmetta; Tripolitania: Jebel Tegrinna, Khoms, Khor Al Jifah, Tegrinna, Tripoli; Fezzan: Al Qatrun, Al Sbitat, Ashkidah, Bani Hilal, Brak, Hammera, Mahrugah, Marhaba, Misquwin, Murzuk, Qardah, Qirah, Ququm, Samnu, Sebha, Tamzawah, Tarut, Tegrutin, Traghan, Tsawah, Um Al Aranib, Zahra, Zalwaz, Zizaw, Zuwaylah.

Distribution: Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Senegal, Sudan, Somaliland, Eritrea, Cape Verde Is., S. Europe.

Remarks: A very common species, recorded practically from the whole continent. This species is fairly well distributed over different parts of Libya and North Africa. Recorded earlier from Tripolitania and Cyrenaica by Rizzardi (1869), Werner (1908), Ghigi (1913), Giglio-Tos (1923), Salfi (1925, 1928), Capra (1929) and Popov (1975). Damiano (1969) recorded this species from Fezzan.