INFLUENCE OF SEX RATIO ON THE NUTRIENT COMPOSITION OF THE ACCESSORY GLAND AND FEMORAL MUSCLE OF ADULT MALE Zonocerus variegatus

Abstract

Zonocerus variegatus (L.) is the main grasshopper pest of crops in over twenty countries which occupy the extensive forest and savannah areas of West and Central Africa. It feeds on many plant species, including a wide range of plantation and subsistence crops (Notably cassava, Manihot esculenta leaves) and horticultural plants. Male grasshoppers are smaller than females, and size varies greatly between species-from a length of 0.4 in (1cm) to more than 5.9 in (15 cm). a male grasshopper has a pair of adjacent testes, which appear to be a single structure along the dorsal midline. The testes are made up of many follicles collected by tiny tubes to either the right or left vas deferens. The vas deference carry sperm to the ejaculatory duct. A pair of tiny seminal vesiclesª¤? produces a liquid that combines with the sperm produced in the testes. During mating, there is transfer of secretion from the male to the female, such secretion include protein, lipids and glucose, others may be amino acids, peptides and prostaglandins. Zonocerus variegates is very high in protein concentration and these proteins are transferred during copulation from males to females. The analysis of the mineral concentration of the femoral muscle and accessory glands shows that sodium ion (Na⁺) has the highest concentration in the femoral muscle and accessory gland of Adult male Z. variegates. Chloride ion (C1^-) also has relative high mineral content when compared to other mineral found in the femoral muscle and accessory gland of Z. variegatus