ACRIDOIDEA DIVERSITY OF PATNA BIRD SANCTUARY, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

Patna Bird Sanctury is about 6 kms. from lalesar tehsil of Etah district of Uttar Pradesh on the lalesar-Sikandrarao road, was declared as full fledged sanctuary in 1990 having an area of 108 hectare. The sanctuary extends between 78° 45' OO"east longitude and 27° 34' 60" north latitude with an altitude of 168m msl. It is about 60 kms from Aligarh. The average year temperature varies from 47°C in peak summers to 4° C in winters. It is a typical rainfed wetland of the gangetic plains, being a natural, freshwater, shallow depression. The shallow parts of the sanctuary dry up during summer, leaving some puddles in the deeper zones. After the abundant Indian monsoon fills the lake to its brim, approx. 200 different species of birds can be sighted during this time of the year. Though on paper it's the smallest bird sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh covering a wetland area of a mere 1 sq. km., Patna vies with the best when it comes to its avifauna. Date palm Phoenix silvestris in the central part of the sanctuary is one of the most conspicuous features of this sanctuary. Aquatic vegetation consists of Hydrilla verticillata, Ceratophyllum demersum, Vallisneria spiralis, Pontamogeton crisp us, and Najas sp., while surface vegetation consists of Salvinia, Azolla and Eichhornia crassipes. On the fringes of the wetlands, Ipomea carnea grows in excess and Ipomea aquatica is also spreading. Short-horned grasshoppers are included in the Superfamily Acridoidea. They are moderate in size, but range from less than 10 mm to 65 mm. The form of body shape, head and thorax are diverse; antennae are filiform but sometimes ensiform; tarsi three segmented; hind femora long, slender and thick towards base and adapted for leaping. Wings are either fully developed or reduced or absent; forewings in the form of leathery tegmina; hind wings fan like; male external genitalia complex, symmetrical and concealed, when not in use, by the enlarged ninth abdominal sternum (Subgenital plate).


INTRODUCTION
Patna Bird Sanctury is about 6 kms.from lalesar tehsil of Etah district of Uttar Pradesh on the lalesar-Sikandrarao road, was declared as full fledged sanctuary in 1990 having an area of 108 hectare.The sanctuary extends between 78° 45' OO"east longitude and 27° 34' 60" north latitude with an altitude of 168m msl.It is about 60 kms from Aligarh.The average year temperature varies from 47°C in peak summers to 4° C in winters.It is a typical rainfed wetland of the gangetic plains, being a natural, freshwater, shallow depression.The shallow parts of the sanctuary dry up during summer, leaving some puddles in the deeper zones.After the abundant Indian monsoon fills the lake to its brim, approx.200 different species of birds can be sighted during this time of the year.Though on paper it's the smallest bird sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh covering a wetland area of a mere 1 sq.km., Patna vies with the best when it comes to its avifauna.Date palm Phoenix silvestris in the central part of the sanctuary is one of the most conspicuous features of this sanctuary.Hydrilla verticillata, Ceratophyllum demersum, Vallisneria spiralis,   Pontamogeton crisp us, and Najas sp., while surface vegetation consists of Salvinia, Azolla and Eichhornia crassipes.On the fringes of the wetlands, Ipomea carnea grows in excess and Ipomea aquatica is also spreading.Short-horned grasshoppers are included in the Superfamily Acridoidea.They are moderate in size, but range from less than 10 mm to 65 mm.The form of body shape, head and thorax are diverse; antennae are filiform but sometimes ensiform; tarsi three segmented; hind femora long, slender and thick towards base and adapted for leaping.Wings are either fully developed or reduced or absent; forewings in the form of leathery tegmina; hind wings fan like; male external genitalia complex, symmetrical and concealed, when not in use, by the enlarged ninth abdominal sternum (Subgenital plate).
The present paper deals with 18 species belonging to 2 families and 15 genera.All the species are reported from the sanctuary for the first time.Three species have been recorded from Uttar Pradesh for the first time.Classification followed here is according to Uvarov (1966).

Order
Remarks: It is one of the most commonest species of the genus in India, but not so common as velox or hyla.In the sanctuary area, the species is associated to the paddy and grass adjoining the cultivated fields.Material examined: 3 exs., 7.ix.05,Grassy Fields near Temple; 1 exs., 8.ix.05,Near Main Sanctuary Gate; 2 exs., 8.ix.05,Grassy Fields near Lake, ColI.: N. Sharma & party.
Remarks : It is a highly variable subspecies as regards its size and appearance.The length of tegmen, shape of male cercus and dentation on lateral ridges of sub genital plate are also variable.

Choreodocus illustris (Walker)
1870.Reteracris illustris Walker,Cat. Derm,. Salt. Brit. Mus.,4 : 622,623.Remarks: The species is unique in having a very pointed apex of male cercus which differentiates it from allied Indian species.This typical subspecies is the commonest in the genus and it is widely distributed in all habitats.It is available both in plains as well as in Hills.This species is a new record from Uttar Pradesh.
Remarks: Medium sized insects, wings at the base with pinkish tinge in colour; posterior tibiae with red in colour.This species is a new record from Uttar Pradesh.
Remarks: This species is distinguishable by its parallel-sided frontal ridge and colouration in details specially of wings.It is one of the commonest species found in all habitats in India.
Remarks : The subspecies is one of the serious pests of agricultural fields, specially of paddy fields.Hundreds of them are noticeable from the seedling stage to ripening stage of paddy.This species is recorded throughout Oriental region and extends upto Australia.Material examined: 2 exs., Grassy Fields Near Sanctuary Main Gate, 3 exs., Grassy Fields near Temple, 7.ix.05; 2 exs., Near Lake, 2 exs., Grassy Fields near Main Gate, 8.ix.05,ColI.: N Sharma & party.
Remarks: In India, the genus is represented by this species only.So its geographical isolation along with the colouration of inner surface of posterior femur and unique form of the lophi of epiphallus easily identify the species.