Systematic Status and Ecological Account of Poekilocerus (Pyrgomorphidae: Orthoptera) of Pakistan

Abstract

The survey, conducted from 2021 to 2023, resulted in the collection of 368 specimens of Poekilocerus. This genus was identified as a significant pest affecting various crops, including wheat, cowpea, corn, grasses, and bushes. The primary host plant for Poekilocerus was found to be Calotropis procera (Akk plant), a species widely used in traditional medicine for treating various ailments. The populations of Poekilocerus were observed to sometimes reach plague proportions. A notable increase in individuals was recorded in the Cholistan Desert during the summer of 2020-2021, with a higher concentration found on Akk Caltrops procera. Additionally, Poekilocerus has been reported to damage approximately 40 crop species, including citrus, tobacco, Cassia spp., and pear trees. The present study discusses both a systematic account and the ecological aspects of this pest. It was also noted that a considerable number of leaves, as well as the flowers and fruits of the Akk plant, can be damaged or even stripped.