ETHOLOGY OF SOME MEMBRACIDS ON ITS HOST PLANTS
KRISHNAN RAJKUMAR
Department of Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology, Loyola College, Chennai 600 034, Tamil Nadu, India.
SAMUEL TENNYSON *
Department of Zoology, Madras Christian College, Chennai 600 059, Tamil Nadu, India.
SUBRAMANIAN ARIVOLI
Department of Zoology, Thiruvalluvar University, Vellore 632 115, Tamil Nadu, India.
MIRIAM VASSOU
Department of Zoology, Periyar EVR College, Tiruchirappalli 620 023, Tamil Nadu, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Membracids have received adequate attention for its taxonomic, habitual, behavioural and bioecological studies. In the present study, the behavioural aspects (feeding, communal life, resting, mimicry and colouration, oviposition, incubation, ecdysis, and parental care) of three membracids, viz., Leptocentrus taurus, Otinotus oneratus and Oxyrachis taranda on its host plants were studied by regular field observations at frequent intervals. The present study brought to light more salient behavioural features of membracids on its respective host plants. Hence, studies on other species of membracids exposed to different host plants may bring out additional behavioural aspects.
Keywords: Membracid, Leptocentrus taurus, Otinotus oneratus, Oxyrachis taranda, behaviour