Outbreak of spotted coffee locust, Aularches miliaris Linnaeus (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae) in Kerala

Abstract

This paper reports an outbreak of spotted Coffee locust, Aularches miliaris Linnaeus (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae) in Kerala, a plantation rich state in the southern part of India during during 2020 and 2021. Outbreaks were observed in four districts viz., Thrissur, Malappuram, Idukki and Wayanad in Kerala. The nymphs and adults were observed feeding on several crop plants like black pepper, coffee, areca nut, banana and coconut etc. Nymph bands of 800 to 1000 with a density of up to 25/m2 were found. Outbreaks occurred in areas where high value cash crops are grown and farmers tend to spray insecticides.