Comunidades de ortópteros (Insecta, Orthoptera) en pastizales del Chaco Oriental Húmedo, Argentina

Abstract

Orthopteran communities (Insecta, Orthoptera) in grasslands of Eastern Humid Chaco, Argentina

Species diversity and abundance of Orthoptera communities were estimated in two grasslands of Eastern Humid Chaco from 2006 to 2007. The greatest species diversity was recorded in the grassland with intensive livestock grazing and predominance of native plant species, whereas the abundance values were higher in the grassland without grazing and characterized by introduced plant species. In total, 25 Orthoptera species were collected during the study. Acrididae (Caelifera) was the most abundant and diverse family recorded. Staurorhectus longicornis, Dichromorpha australis and Orphulella punctata were the most abundant species; the last two species being recorded during the entire sampling period. The greatest abundance was recorded in December 2006. Abundance did not show any correlation with climatic variables.