Pyrgomorpha cognata Krauss, 1877

Usmani, Mohammad Kamil, 2008, Studies on Acridoidea (Orthoptera) with some new records from Fezzan, Libya, Zootaxa 1946, pp. 1-41 : 15-16

10. Pyrgomorpha cognata Krauss, 1877

Diagnosis: The species is fusiform and occurs in brown and green forms. It will be an interesting observation to note whether these colour forms correlate with seasonal and ecological conditions. The two forms can easily be separated. Though Pyrgomorpha spp . are difficult to separate with certainty but P. cognata can be identified by its shorter head and fastigium of vertex; an acutely angled, tooth-shaped, well discernable process on anterior corner of posterio-inferior truncate corner of internal pronotal lobe.

Habitats: This species is the most abundant, paticularly in dry areas. Adults and hoppers of various stages were found on the branch of alfalfa, millet, aubergine and other vegetable crops. It appears to be serious pest of aubergine. Joyce (1952) reported as eating millet in Sudan. Severe defoliation of cotton has also been reported. This species is reported as minor pest in Africa but can cause serious damage to irrigated vegetable crops.

Material examined: Material examined: Al Shati Region: Ashkidah , 2 ♂, 3 ♀, on alfalfa, 21.x.1994 ; Brack , 7♂, 15 ♀, on phragmites-grass 2.xi.1994 ; Brack Agric. Project , 3 ♂, 5 ♀, on vegetable field, 10.III.1995 ; Qardah , 24 ♂, 43 ♀, on alfalfa-grass, 44 ♂, 49 ♀, barley,millet and alfalafa 15.xii.94; Qattah, 10 ♂, 8 ♀, on alfalfa- grass, 15.vii.1995 ; Qirah , 17 ♂, 12 ♀, on alfalfa, 1.xi.1994 ; Ququm , 3 ♂, 5 ♀, on millet &alfalfa, 29.x.1994 ; Idri, 1 ♂, 5 ♀, on alfalfa, 13.ix.95; Mahruqah , 1 ♂, 1 ♀, on alfalfa, 2.xii.92; 1 ♀, on grass, 7.iv.1995 ; Mansurah , 2 ♀, on alfalfa, 13.iv.1995 ; Tamzawah , 21 ♂, 20 ♀, on alfalfa-grass, 10 ♂, 7 ♀, on vine, 4.xi.1994 ; Tarut , 10 ♂, 11 ♀, on alfalfa, 2 ♂, 1 ♀, on onion, 6.viii.1994 ; Tmassan , 4 ♂, on grape, 13.iv.95; Wanzarik, 2 ♂, on barley, 13.iv.1995 ; Zahra , 62 ♂, 67 ♀, on grass, onion, alfalfa & millet, 15.xii.1994 ; Zalwaz , 2 ♂, 1 ♀, on alfalfa, 15.v.1995 . Murzuk region: Agar-Atabah , 1 ♂, 1 ♀, on grass, 23.vi.1993 ; Al Qatrun , 17 ♂, 19♀, on dry grass & vegetable, 15.v.1993 ; Al Sbitat , 4♂, 1 ♀, on bean, 23.iv.1993 ; Hemmera , 2# male, 3 ♀, on broad beans, 8.i.1993 ; Majdul , 1 ♀, on vegetable, 15.v.1993 ; Marhaba , 3 ♀, on alfalfa, wild grass, 11.xii.1993 ; Murzuq, 1 ♂, 3 ♀, on grass & water-melon, 5.v.1993 ; Tegrutin , 3 ♀, on alfalfa, 11.xii.1993 ; Traghan , 1 ♂, on alfalfa, 27.v.1993 ; Um-Al Aranib , 1 ♀, on alfalfa, 8.i.1994 . Ghat Region: Al Barkat , 5 ♂, 10 ♀, on alfalfa, 19.vii.1995 ; Ghat, 9 ♂, 11 ♀, on dry grass and vegetable, 18.vii.1995 . Sebha Region: Al Zighan , 5 ♂, 7 ♀, on vegetable, 18, v.1994 ; Ghodwa , 2 ♂, 4 ♀, on dry grass, 1.v.1995 ; Sebha, 10 ♂, 12 ♀, on alfalfagrass 1.v.1995 ; Samnu , 4 ♂, 8 ♀, wild grass & alfalfa, 18.v.1995 ; Tamanhant , 2 ♂, 6 ♀, on grass, 18.v.1995 . Wadi Haya Region: Al Abyad , 21 ♂, 17 ♀, on cucumber and water melon, 2.xi.1992 ; Al Hamarah , 5 ♂, 7 ♀, on alfalfa & vegetable, 2.xi.1992 ; Ben Hareth , 21 ♂, 11 ♀, on alfalfa & garlic, 16.xi.1992 ; Khalayf , 5 ♂, 16 ♀, on alfalfa- vegetable, 16.xi.1992 ; Zweyah , 2 ♂, 6 ♀, on garlic- onion, 16.xi.1992 ; Garagra , 3 ♂, 7 ♀, on alfalfa - egg plant, 27.xi.1992 ; Al Garaya , 1 ♂, 2 ♀, on egg plant- onion, 7.xii.1992 ; Tkerkibah , 3 ♂, 3 ♀, on garliconion 7.xii.1992 ; Sidi Ali , 7 ♂, 6 ♀, on grass, 7.xii.1992 ; Al Tanahmah , 2 ♂, 11 ♀, on vegetable, 7.xii.1992 ; Arragabah , 13 ♂, 7 ♀, on egg plant- pepper, 15.xi.1992 ; Al Breek , 22 ♂, 7 ♀, on alfalfa, 15.xi.1992 ; Jarmah , 12 ♂, 9 ♀, on alfalfa -vegetable, 15.xii.1992 ; Awbari , 44 ♂, 28 ♀, on barley & wild grass, 30.i.1993 ; Ed Disah , 8 ♂, 6 ♀, on alfalfa, 15.ii.1993 ; Al Ghrayfah , 25 ♂, 12 ♀, on alfalfa, 15.ii.1993 ; Al Hatiyah , 12 ♂, 6 ♀, on alfalfa, 5.ii.1993 .

Localities: Cyrenaica: Augila, Jaghbub, (Giarabub), Oasi di Giarabub ; Tripolitania: Agelat, Misurata, Tripoli; Fezzan: Agar Atabah, Al Abyad, Al Barkat, Al Breek, Al Garaya, Al Gatrun, Al Zighan, Arragabah, Ashkidah, Awbari, Ben Hareth, Brak, Ed Disah, Garagra, Gebel Soda (Jebel-el Sauda), Ghat, Ghodwa, Hammera, Idri, Jarmah, Khalayf, Maharuqah, Majdul, Mansurah, Marhaba, Murzuk, Qardah, Qattah, Qirah, Ququm, Sanmu, Sebha, Sidi Ali, Tarnanhant, Tamzawah, Tarut, Tegrutin, Tibesti, Tkerkibah, Tmassan, Traghen, Um Al Aranib, Wanzarik, Zahra, Zalwaz, Zweyah .

Distribution: Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Mouretania, Senegal, Gambia, Ivory Coast, Togo, Guinea, Nigeria, Gold Coast, Cameroon, Upper Volta, Chad, Socotra, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somaliland, S.W. Asia.

Remarks: Distributed widely in Libya and in the neighbouring North African countries. Earlier recorded from Tropilitania and Cyrenaica by Capra (1929), Salfi (1935b) and Jannone (1938). This species was reported from Fezzan by Salfi (1935a) and Ajaili et al. (1989).