Heteracris littoralis (Rambur, 1838)

Usmani, Mohammad Kamil, 2008, Studies on Acridoidea (Orthoptera) with some new records from Fezzan, Libya, Zootaxa 1946, pp. 1-41 : 22

19. Heteracris littoralis (Rambur, 1838)

Diagnosis: This species is very similar to H annulosus in general appearance but can be separated by its tegmina often with large dark spots forming bands apically and hind tibia light reddish voilet basally.

Habitats: This species is found sheltering in bushes. Most records indicate that it is herbivorous. The species seem to be attracted to barsim plots and prefer as food. Vegetable crops are also attracted. Gentry (1965) reported as one of the most important grasshoppers in Egypt.

Material examined: Al Shati region: Agar , 1 ♂, on dry grass, 29.x.1992 ; Brack , 1 ♂, on grass, 3.xii.1992 ; Brack Agric. Project , 2 ♂, on vegetable, 8.iii.1992 ; Mahruqah , 1 ♀, on alfalfa, 6.viii.1992 ; Qardah , 1 ♂, on barley, 15.xii.1992 ; Qirah , 4 ♂, 2 ♀, on alfalfa, 12.xi.1992 ; Ququm , 1 ♂, on alfalfa, 1 ♂, on mint, 24.x.1992 ; Tamzawah , 9 ♂, 7 ♀, on alfalfa & grape, 4.xi.1992 ; tarut, 1 ♂, on onion, 15.xii.1992; wanzarik, 2 ♂, 1 ♀, on barley & alfalfa, 13.iv.1993. Murzuk region: Al Qatrun , 5 3male, 5 ♀, on alfalfa & egg plant, 2.xi.1992 ; Ed Disah , 1 ♂, 2 ♀, on alfalfa, 27.iv.1993 ; Fungul , 1 male, on wild grass, 27.iv.1993 . Ghat region: Al Awaynat , 1 ♂, 1 ♀, on barley, 20.vii.1995 ; Al barkat, 3 ♂, 4 ♀, on mint & onion, 19.vii.1995 . Wadi Haya region: Al Abyad , 3 ♂, 1 ♀, on grass & grape, 2.xi.1992 ; Ben hareth, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, on onion, 16.xi.1992 ; Khalayf , 2 ♂, on alfalfa 7 Wild grass, 16.xi.1992 ; Tanamah , 1 ♀, on pomegranate, 7.xii.1992 .

Localities: Cyrenaica: Bengasi, dernah, Hatiet Fredga, Oasi di Giarabub; Tripolitania: Ain Zara, Anfang august, Ghirza (Chersa), Gebel T’kut, Scegga, Tripoli, Umgebung; Fezzan: Agar, alAbyad, Al awaynat, Ben Hareth, Brack, Ed Disah, El Barakat, Fungul, Ghodwa, Khalayf, Mahruqah, Qardah, Qirah, Ququm, Samnu, Sebha, Tamzawah, Tanahmah, Tarut, Wanzarik.

Distribution: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Hoggar, sahara, Nigeria, Sudan, Somaliland, Cape Verde Is., S. Europe, S.W. Asia, Azerbaijan, Southern Kazakhstan, Northern Kara-Kalpakia, Iberian Peninsula.

Remarks: This species has been reported from different parts of Libya by Werner (1908), Ghigi (1915), Salfi (1925, 1928), Giglio-Tos (1923) and Capra (1929). Ajaili et al. (1989) reported it from Fezzan.