MODELOS PARA SIMULAR LA FENOLOGIA DEL CHAPULIN (ORTHOPTERA: ACRIDIDAE) CON BASE EN UNIDADES CALOR EN PASTIZALES DE DURANGO, MEXICO

Abstract

Grashoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae) are among the most damaging insects in grasslands and cr P fields. Grasshopper phenology is influenced by climatic factors that regulate their development. Statistical methodology was applied to identify nymphal mid-points and average nymphal longevity for Boopedon nubilum (Say), Phoetaliotes nebrascensis (Thomas) and Melanoplus lakinus (Scudder). Subsequently, the logistical probability distribution was used to describe the development of nymphal instars through the adult stage, and available data for the most common species in Durango, Mexico were fitted to a heat unit-based exponential model. Results showed that the models adequately described development through the nymphal instars.