Studies on the immature stages and burrow excavating behavior of Schizodactylus monstrosus (Drury) (Grylloptera: Gryllodea: Schizodactylidae) from Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract

The biology of nymphal stages and life habits of the Schizodactylus monstrosus (Drury) were investigated in this study that was carried out between 2004 and 2007 in the left bank of River Indus Sindh province. The study showed that S. monstrosus which is a nocturnal and voracious carnivorous insect, passed through 9 nymphal stages, took 1 year to complete its developmental period, though the female laid a total of 23.10 ± 3.66 eggs at 14.05 ± 1.85 cm depth of the soil. The burrow habit and food preferences of the cannibalistic species of S. monstrosus were also investigated.

Key words: Schizodactylus monstrosus, biology, life-habits, immature stages, behavior.