ON THE BIOLOGY OF THE CRICKET PARANEMOBIUS PICTUS (SAUSS) (ORTHOPTERA: GRYLLIDAE), A PEST ON VEGETABLES AND PADDY

Paranemobius pictus (Sauss) is herbivores as well as carnivores and cannibalistic in hab i.e. omnivores. It feeds on Luffa aegyptica fruits, seeds of Hibiscus esculaentus, stem of Solanuin tuberosum. Weaker or newly moulting crickets are attacked to make prey by stronger ones. In Paranemobius pictus (Sauss) copulation occurs in April to August. The over active male with protruding genitalia slips under the female and enacts copulation in the same direction and lasts up to 30 minutes (maximum) female cricket lays 85 eggs (average) in her life span of 250 days. Incubation varies as : 5-8 days (in summer). 7-12 days (in monsoon). It undergoes diapause in winter. Life cycle completes through seven instars. This cricket bears economic importance due to its pest value on vegetable and paddy crops and as bait in fishing.