Heteracris annulosus Walker, 1870

Usmani, Mohammad Kamil, 2008, Studies on Acridoidea (Orthoptera) with some new records from Fezzan, Libya, Zootaxa 1946, pp. 1-41 : 21

18. Heteracris annulosus Walker, 1870

Diagnosis: The species is variable in size. It can be identified by the hind femur usually with two dark spots, and less than five times as long as wide.

Habitats: A grassland species which was observed to feed on grasses and leaves of alfalfa. They also attack field crops, vegetable and sorghum.

Material examined: Al Shati region : Brack, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, on grass, 15.vii.1992 ; Brack HIT, 4 ♀, on grass, 4.vi.1993 ; Mahrugah , 2 ♀, on alfalfa, 6.viii.1992 ; Qardah , 1 3male, on barley, 15.xii.1992 ; Tamzawah , 9 ♂, 1 ♀, on alfalfa & vine, 4.xi.1992 ; Wanzarik , 2 ♂, on barley, 13.vi.1993 ; Zahra , 1 ♂, on alfalfa, 15.xii.1992 ; Zalwaz , 1 ♀, on alfalfa, 15.v.1993 . Ghat region: El Barkat, 2 ♂, 4 ♀, on grass&alfalfa, 19.vii.1995 ; Ghat, 1 ♂, on alfalfa, 18.vii.1995 . Murzuk region: Al Qatrun, 5 ♂, 2 ♀, on alfalfa & egg plant, 15.v.1993 ; Traghan , 1 ♂, on barley, 13.iv.1993 ; Zuwaylah , 13 female, on alfalfa, 8.i.1994 ; Ed Disah , 1 ♂, 1 ♀, on alfalfa, 27.iv.1993 ; Fungul , 1 ♂, on wild grass, 27.iv.1993 ; Haj Hujeil , 1 ♂, on figs, 27.iv.1993 . Sebha region: Al Zighan, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, on vegetable, 18.v.1994 ; Ghodwa , 1 ♂, 2 ♀, on wheat, 13.iv.1993 ; Sebha, 3 ♂, 1 ♀, on barley; Samnu, 3 ♂, 2 ♀, on alfalfa & grape, 18.v.1994 ; Tamanhent , 2 ♂, on grass, 18.v.1994 . Wadi Haya region : Al abyad, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, on grape, 2.xi.1992 ; Al Hamarah , 1 ♀, on water melon, 2.xi.1992 ; Ben Hareth , 1 3male,onalfalfa, 16.xi.1992 .

Localities: Cyrenaica: Oasi di Giarabub ; Tripolitania: Ain Zara, Be Kamesh, khoms; Tripoli; Fezzan: Al Abyad, Al hamarah, Al Qatron, al Zighan, Ben Hareth, Brak, Ed Disah, Fungul, Ghat, Ghodwa, Haj Hujail, Mahrugah, Qardah, Samnu, Sebha, Tamzawah, Traghan, Wanzarik, Zahra, Zalwaz, Zuwaylah .

Distribution: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Hoggar, Sahara, Morocco, Tunisia, Mouretania, Abyssinia, S.W.Asia.

Remarks: The species was recorded from Libya by I. Bolivar (1915), Salfi (1929) and Capra (1929). It was reported from Fezzan by Ajaili et al. (1989).