Tropidacris cristata (L., 1758) (Orthoptera: Romaleidae): expansion of distribution in Panama

Abstract

Tropidacris cristata (L., 1758) (Orthoptera: Acridoidea: Romaleidae), is a species of large grasshopper, present from Mexico to South America. With polyphagous and gregarious habits, under certain conditions it can represent a problem as pest in forest, fruit and horticultural crops. In recent incursions carried out in the eastern and western regions of Panama, large grasshoppers have been found, so the aim of this work was to identify the species to which these insects corresponded and to update the known distribution of the species in Panama. The coordinates where the specimens were found were recorded and they were photographed and collected for preservation using 70% ethanol and subsequently analyzed in the laboratory. To confirm the species, specialized literature was consulted and three entomological collections were reviewed. To update the known distribution of the insect, specialized publications, institutional databases, and collection data from the reviewed collections were consulted. According to the results, in all cases the insect species corresponded to T. cristata; The locations of Burí (Ngäbe-Buglé Comarca), Santa Marta, Cordillera, Cuesta de Piedra, Celmira and Caisán (Chiriquí province) are new records for the western region of Panama; while the distribution in Veraguas province is expanded and it is recorded for the first time in the Guna Yala Comarca. In addition, a consolidated map with the expanded distribution of the insect was prepared. In conclusion, T. cristata has a distribution in almost all the national territory and there are eight new formal reports.