Ochrilidia geniculata (I. Bolivar, 1913)

Usmani, Mohammad Kamil, 2008, Studies on Acridoidea (Orthoptera) with some new records from Fezzan, Libya, Zootaxa 1946, pp. 1-41 : 36-37

46. Ochrilidia geniculata (I. Bolivar, 1913)

Diagnosis: It can easily be separated from other species of Ochrilidia by its lower edge of temporal foveolae clearly visible from above, longer antennae with flattened and markedly widened antennal segments 2–5, hind femur with black spot on innerside of knees; tibial spines blue or violet.

Habitats: This species is widely distributed and recorded in grassland. It commonly occurs in North African sub-desert areas. Light trap catches are recorded from Sudan, India and Pakistan. It has been recorded feeding on wheat, crops leaves and young plants of Lucerne, pastures and forage crops.

Material examined: Al Shati Region: Mahruqah , 1 ♀, on alfalfa, 6.viii.1992 ; Qirah , 2 ♀,on alfalfa-grass, 12.xi.1992 ; Tamzawah , 1 ♀, on alfalfa, 4.xi.1992 ; Zalwaz , l ♂, on alfalfa, 15.v.1993 . Ghat Region: Al Awaynat , 2 ♂, 5 ♀, on alfalfa, 20.vii.1995 ; Al Barkat , 3 ♂, 7 ♀, on grass, 19.vii.1995 ; Ghat, 2 ♂, 4 ♀, on alfalfa grass, 18.vii.1995 . Murzuk region: Ed Disah , 3 ♂, on alfalfa, 27.vi.1993 ; 4 ♀, on dry grass, 8.i.1994; Tsawah , 1 ♀, on grass, 11.xii.1993 . Sebha Region: Al Zighan , 3 ♂, 5 ♀, on 18.v.1994 ; Ghodwa , 3 ♂, 7 ♀, on grass & alfalfa, 13.iv.1993 ; Sebha, 5 ♂, 10 ♀, on alfalfa & grass, 8.vi.1995 .

Localities: Cyrenaica: Agedabia, Barca, Bengasi, Brega, Gialo, Wadi Bregah; Tripolitania: Azizia, Bianchi (Tripoli), Bu Kamesh, Gastel Verde, Carradine, Gargarese, Gharian, Hon Oasis, Khor Al Jifah, Leptis Magna, Mangub (Zuare), Miaghi, Nalut, Wadi Gadafia , Wadi Targent ; Fezzan: Al Awaynat, Al Barkat, Al Zighan, Brak, Edre, Ed Disah, El Gatroun, El Manakh, Ghat, Ghodwa, Jebel Fezzan, Jebel Soda, Mahrugah, Qirah, Sebha, Serdeles, Tamzawah, Tibesti, Tjirrhe, Traghen, Tsawah, Zalwaz, Zouilla .

Distribution: Senegal, Mouretania, Mali, Algeria, Sahara, Niger, Chad, Rio de Oro, Libya, Egypt, Morocco, Sudan, Kenya, French Somaliland, Ethiopia, Somali Republic, Syria, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Iran, Oman, Aden, Kuwait, W. Pakistan, India.

Remarks: It is widespread in Arabian Peninsula. This species has been reported from Libya by Salfi (1928, 1931) and Jannone (1938). Also recorded from Fezzan by Salfi (1935a), Jago (1977) and Ajaili et al. (1989).