Aiolopus srtepens (Latreille, 1804)

Usmani, Mohammad Kamil, 2008, Studies on Acridoidea (Orthoptera) with some new records from Fezzan, Libya, Zootaxa 1946, pp. 1-41 : 26-27

27. Aiolopus srtepens (Latreille, 1804)

Diagnosis: It resembles A. simulatrix in appearance but distinguishable by its hind femur and tibia of equal length and pronotum almost flat dorsally, not constricted in prozona.

Habitats: This species is found in sparse vegetation, meadows, fields, rather moist places and oasis gardens. Adult can fly several kilometers. Generally considered as minor pest but can cause considerable damage. Ambivorous.

Material examined: Al Shati Region: Ashkidah , 2 ♀, on alfalfa, 21.xi.1992 ; Agar , 1 ♀, on wild grass, 29.x.1992 ; Brack H.I. T., 1 ♀, on cotton, 24.xi.1992 ; Mahruqah , 1 ♀, on alfalfa, 2.xii.1992 ; Qardah , 1 ♀, on Barley, 15.xii.1992 ; Ququm , 2 ♂, 3 ♀, on alfalfa, 1 ♀, on millet, 29.x.1993 ; Tamzawah , 1 ♀,on alfalfa, 4.xi.1992 ; Tarut , 1 ♂, 7 ♀, on alfalfa, 6.xii.1992 ; Zahra , 2 ♀, on grass, 15.xii.1992 ; Zalwaz , 2 ♂, on alfalfa, 15.v.1993 . Ghat Region: Al Barkat , 2 ♂, 3 ♀, on millet, 19.vii.1995 ; Ghat, 3 ♂, 4 ♀, on grass-grape, 18.vii.1993 . Murzuk region: Al Qatrun , 4 ♂, on vegetable, 15.v.1993 ; Al Sbitat , 1 ♂, 1 # female, on bean, 23.vi.1993 ; Bani-Hilal , 1 ♀, on alfalfa, 17.vi.1993 ; Edlem , 3 ♀, on vegetable, 27.vi.1993 ; Majdul , 1 ♂, on vegetable, 15.v.1993 ; Makhaten , 2 ♂, 1 ♀, on grass & dry millet, 27.vi.1993 ; Marhaba , 5 ♂, 2 ♀, on alfalafa, 11.xii.1993 ; Misquwin , 2 ♂, 1 ♀, on grass, 8.i.1994 ; Murzuq, 23 ♂, 14 ♀, on water melon, 5.v.1993 ; Tsawah , 4 ♂, 1 ♀, on grass, 11.xii.1993 ; Zuwaylah , 3 ♂, 2 ♀, on alfalfa & grass, 8.i.1994 ; Haj-Hujeil , 2 ♂, 2 female, on alfalfa, 27.iv.1993 . Sebha Region: Al Zighan , 2 ♂, 5 ♀, on cotton and wild grass, 18.v.1994 ; Ghodwa , 2 ♂, 1 ♀, on wild grass, 13.iv.1993 ; Samnu , 2 ♂, 3 ♀, on millet, 18.v.1994 ; Sebha, 3 ♂, 8 ♀, on alfalfa-grass, 18.vi.1995 ; Tamanhent , 2 ♂, 3 ♀, on alfalfa- barley, 18.v.1994 . Wadi Haya Region: Al Abyad , 11 ♂, 9 ♀, on grass- vegetable, 2.xi.1992 ; Al Garaya , 3 ♂, 1O ♀, on barley and wild grass 7.xi.1992 ; Al Hamarah , 3 ♀, on alfalfa, 2.xi.1992 ; Khalayf , 4 ♂, 11 ♀, on ground nut, 16.xi.1992 ; Ben Hareth , 3 ♂, 6 ♀, on grape & onion, 16.xi.1992 ; Bint Bayyah , 1 ♀, on carrot, 16.xi.1992 ; Gragara , 2 ♀, on onion, 27.xi.1992 ; Tkerkibah , 1 ♂, 2 ♀, on ground nut, 7.xii.1992 ; Jarmah, 2 ♂, 4 ♀, on vegetable, 15.xi.92; Al Breek , 1 ♀, on wild grass, 15.xii.92; Arragabah, 1 ♂, 3 ♀, on barley, 15.xi.1992 ; Awbari , 2 ♂, 2 ♀, on alfalfa-barley, 30.i.1993 ; Al Hatiyah , 1 ♀, on broad bean, 15.ii.1993 .

Localities: Cyrenaica: Ain Mara, Barca, Bardia, Bengasi, Cufra, Derna, Gialo, Marada, Marmarica, Merg, Tolmetta, Wadi Derna, Wadi Kuf , Tripolitania: Ain Zara, Endschilla (Engila), Mellaha, Tripoli; Fezzan: Al Abyad, Al Barkat, Al Breek, Al Garaya, Al Hamarah, Al Hatiyah, Al Qatrun, Al Sbitat, Al Zighan, Agar, Arragabah, Ashkidah, Awbari, Bani Hilal, Ben Hareth, Brak, Gragara, Haj Hujeil, Jarmah, Khalayf, Mahruqah, Majdul, Makhten, Marhaba, Misquwin, Murzuq, Qardah, Ququm, Samnu, Sebha, Tamanhant, Tamzawah, Tarut, Tkerkibah, Traghan, Tsawah, Zahra, Zalwaz, Zuwaylah .

Distribution: France, Somaliland, Corsica, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Sicily, Sardina, Malta, Greece, Yugoslavia, Albina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Iraq, Iran, Madeira, Canary Is., Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, United Arab Republic, S. Europe, S. W. Asia.

Remarks: The range of this species covers most of the Mediterrnnean region. Distributed widely in Libya and in the neighbouring North African countries. Earlier recorded from Libya by Werner (1908), Ghigi (1913), Giglio-Tos (1923), Salfi (1925, 1928, 1935b). It is reported from Fezzan by Salfi (1935a) and Ajaili et al. (1989).