Taxonomy of genus Decticus Serville, 1831 (Decticinae: Tettigoniidae: Orthoptera)

Abstract

The recent growing interest on the Decticus Serville, 1831 fauna of Pakistan in particular has enabled the discovery of two species i-e: Decticus verrucivorus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Decticus albifrons (Fabricius, 1775). Decticus species are having significant biometrical and morphological differences with each other. In D. albifrons genital plate transverse with thickened posterior margin with small median cerci in D. verrucivorus restrain with denticles near middle. All morphological differences were highlighted by appropriate illustration and digital photograph. Furthermore, the species of Decticus are having jumping capacity when approached. Collection of these two species from Pakistan constructed new records. In addition to this, a simplified taxonomic key for the separation of species has also been provided here.