Gesonula punctifrons (Stål) is a species of grasshopper belonging to the family Acrididae, under the order Orthoptera. It is widely distributed across several provinces in China, including Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Taiwan, Sichuan, and Yunnan. This pest affects a variety of crops and plants such as rice, alfalfa, lotus root, wild daffodils, sugarcane, and corn.
The damage caused by G. punctifrons is characterized by nymphs and adults feeding on the leaves, leaving only the epidermis behind. The affected areas appear as small purple horizontal spots, which interfere with photosynthesis and hinder overall plant growth. These symptoms are often noticeable on the upper surface of the leaves, making it easier for farmers to detect infestations early.
Morphologically, adult females measure 19–22 mm in length, while males are slightly smaller at 17–18 mm. Their bodies are yellow-green in color. A distinctive feature is the presence of dark brown longitudinal stripes on the rear part of the compound eyes and the upper edge of the prothoracic plate, extending backward towards the middle and posterior thoracic plates. The forewings are yellow-green, while the hind wings have a light blue base and a slightly smoky tip. The hind legs are yellow-green, with a red knee area, a pale blue tibia, and a red base. The head is shorter than the prothorax, with the forehead sloping backward and forming an acute angle at the top. The forehead is raised and features a prominent longitudinal groove. The top of the head protrudes slightly forward, and the width between the compound eyes is narrower or equal to the space between the antennae. The compound eyes are oval-shaped, and the antennae are filiform, reaching or extending beyond the posterior edge of the prothorax. The front part of the thoracodorsal plate is narrow, widening toward the back, with weak mid-longitudinal ridges and three transverse grooves surrounding it.
The hind legs have 8–9 spines on the inner side, with the distance between the first and second spines being longer than the distance between the other spines. Eggs are approximately 4–5 mm long, cylindrical in shape, initially light yellow, gradually darkening to a yellowish-brown color. They are enclosed within a protective cystic membrane. Newly hatched nymphs are light green, turning yellow-green as they mature.
In Guangdong, G. punctifrons completes three generations per year. Adults live under leaf litter and become active in late March or early April. Mating occurs in May and June, with females laying eggs in the middle and lower parts of petioles. The eggs are surrounded by a yellow-brown sticky substance. Each female lays 8–10 eggs, with each egg containing 6–18 individuals. The egg stage lasts 20–32 days, followed by a nymphal stage lasting more than 30 days. By October and November, nymphs enter the wintering stage. Adults are diurnal and tend to fly among leaves during hot midday hours, rarely feeding. Field populations peak between July and September annually.
For control, one effective method is to manually scrape the egg-laying sites during the spawning period. When the ovoid holes are smooth and a reddish-brown liquid flows out, it indicates that the eggs have hatched or are about to hatch. Accurate timing of this scraping can significantly reduce population numbers. Another approach is to apply insecticides during the nymph stage. For specific pesticide recommendations, refer to local guidelines for rice cultivation in China.
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