Effect of Plant Extracts on Survival and Development of Melanoplus differentialis and M. sanguinipes (Orthoptera: Acrididae)1

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Abstract
Extracts of selected plant species were bioassayed by incorporating them into an artificial diet used to rear Melanoplus differentialis (Thomas) and M. sanguinipes (F.). Marked differences in survival and rate of development of grasshoppers were observed. Within species there were no significant differences in sizes of nymphs or adults reared on the different extract preparations. The number of stadia required before completing development varied but was not related to type of diet. Differences in survival and rate of development were not the result of differences in food consumption or digestion coefficient. There was no correlation between efficacy of extracts from a plant species and the rate of ingestion by grasshoppers in the field. The plant extract was not essential for the 1st instar, but deprivation in any later stadia caused decreased survival and slowed development. Definite symptoms preceded death in 62% of the nymphs on diets with the extract withdrawn after any period.

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