Female, length (including ovipositor) 47 mm.
Scientific name: Decticoides brevipennis Ragge
Common name: Welo Bush Cricket
Ethiopian name: Degeza
Order: Orthoptera
Family: Tettigoniidae
HOSTS:
Main hosts: Wild grasses, Meskel daisies
Alternative hosts: Tef, Wheat, Barley
IMPORTANCE IN ETHIOPIA:
Major pest of: Tef, Wheat
Minor pest of: Barley
DAMAGE:
This species feeds on the milky grains of tef and other late sown cereals.
INSECT BIOLOGY & RECOGNITION:
Nymph and adult: Nymphs and adults look very much the same. They are brown or greenish insects with long thin antennae. The hind legs are adapted for jumping. Adults have short wings which are useless for flying. The length of the body is up to about 25 mm. Adult females have a long, curved ovipositor which is about 2 cm long. This species feeds on wild grasses and meskel daisies until they dry up in October. Then they can do serious damage to the milky grains of tef and other late sown cereals.
CONTROL METHODS:
Cultural control:
Early planting.
Destroy wild hosts growing near the cultivated area.