Dybok steppe - it is the largest grasshopper ever living in Russia.Insect belongs to the subfamily Dybok.At the moment is an endangered species and insects included in the Red Book.
Description
body length without ovipositor females 30-40 mm, and with it - 70-90 mm.The wings have a large insect or non-existent, or presented in the form of very short rudiments and no apparent benefit do not bring.Steppe Dybok has elongated head with a sharply sloping forehead down.On the front and middle thighs are numerous strong spikes.The hind legs are elongated, but unlike other crickets, Dybok they practically do not help when jumping.Nevertheless, this insect can jump on a pretty impressive distance.Saga pedo, photos of which can be seen in the article, colored green or greenish-yellow color with a longitudinal border, situated on the sides.This color allows a small predator lurking in the grass or other undergrowth and catch beetles and other small animals.Besides, it is an excellent disguise, protecting grasshopper from his enemies.
Habitats
Steppe Dybok quite common in Georgia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.It can also be found in Moldova, Ukraine and Southern Europe.In Russia, the insect infests plots unplowed plains and lives in Kursk, Voronezh, Lipetsk, Samara and other regions.The insect can be found in the bush thorns and bushes in the stony steppes.The closest relatives of grasshoppers live in South Africa and Australia.Until recently, the steppe Dybok lived across the steppe zone of Kharkov and Chelyabinsk regions in the north to the Crimea and the Caucasus in the south.Today, the area inhabited by these grasshoppers decreased, and now they can meet only in the Caucasus.
Power
in nutrition prefers grass-forb plants.By its nature, this grasshopper is a predator.Mainly hunts at night.Steppe Dybok eat filly grasshoppers and insects such as the praying mantis, bugs and other small bugs.
Reproduction
Propagated by parthenogenesis.Presumably steppe Dybok has 68 chromosomes, which is twice more than sedlonosnogo grasshopper.Females start laying eggs 3-4 weeks after the imaginal moult.Throughout his life, a grasshopper laying eggs in the soil in small portions.Thus, almost all the time, it is under reproduction.It is known that even after the death of a female in her body can be found more than a dozen eggs.
hatch into larvae of about 12 millimeters.Throughout the development of the young grasshoppers are ages eight and reach full adulthood in 25 days.
Limiting factors and protection
total number of these unusual grasshoppers continued to steadily decline.This is because the natural habitat of these insects are constantly being destroyed.Today, this factor is not fatal, as are still in the form of asylum ravines and other places that have low relief.Such a habitat for steppe food Dybok.These places are most favorable and meet all the needs, as well as the biological characteristics of grasshoppers.
greatest danger for the existence of steppe Dybok currently represents a large-scale use of insecticides.As in most fields of crops constantly sprayed with chemicals, giant grasshoppers suffer.Nevertheless Saga pedo, photos presented below, is protected in Zhigulevsk, Khopyor and Bashkir reserves.
Experts recommend to keep survivors tilled plots in the fields within the habitat of these insects.They are also advised to avoid these places by mowing and stop cutting down shrubs and trees.
Steppe Dybok listed as endangered
This type was introduced in the Red Book and now protected by law as an endangered, just as a close relative of the steppe Dybok - sedlonosny grasshopper.The distinguishing feature of this insect is that it really looks like the back seat.
addition, large grasshoppers are listed in the European Red List and the Red Book of Ukraine.
In conclusion
Today it is very important to protect from extinction not only large animals, but even the smallest insects, since they are an indispensable part of the cycle of the power of nature.Consuming small grasshoppers, we are depriving food of larger fish that feed on beetles, bugs, flies, and so on. D. Ultimately, this leads to the fact that larger animals suffer and gradually begin to disappear from the face of the Earth.
scientists annually bring in the Red Book are most exposed to the extinction of plant and animal species.The extermination of these beings is punishable by law and is strictly prohibited throughout the world.
