Pengelolaan Lingkungan dalam Rangka Mengantisipasi Perkembangan Hama Belalang

ABSTRACT Swarming grasshopper Nomadacris succincta (Linnaeus), sinonim: Patanga succincta (L.) was one of the dominant species attacked corn and soybean plantations at Jeneponto District, South Sulawesi in early 2005. The species has been identified for a long time occurred in that environment, although has never been reported before as pest of farmer's crops. For a basis of the capability in controlling the swarm grasshopper in the field, changed of increasing population should be monitored regularly to prevent future outbreak. Information on taxonomic and bioecology research of N. succincta are needed for environmental management efforts, such as change in morphology, physiology and behavior, change in host's preferences of gregarious adult, and environmental conditions i.e. climate, cultural techniques, and the death of natural enemies in the field. Key words: Grasshopper, Nomadacris succincta, environmental management INTISARI Swarming populasi belalang kembara Nomadacris succincta (Linnaeus), sinonim: Patanga succincta (L.) adalah salah satu spesies belalang yang dominan rnenyerang pertanaman jagung dan kedelai di Kabupaten Jeneponto, Sulawesi Selatan pada awal tahun 2005. Spesies itu sudah lama menjadi penghuni lingkungan tersebut, walaupun sebelumnya bukan merupakan harm pada pertanaman petani. Sebagai dasar pijak suatu pengendalian, perubahan yang terjadi dengan peningkatan perkembangan populasi belalang kembara perlu dimonitor, agar tidak mengalami ledakan (outbreak) di masa datang. Pengelolaan lingkungan dalam rangka mengantisipasi perkembangan belalang kembara memerlukan informasi hasil penelitian entomologi murni terapan antara lain: perubahan morfologi, fisiologi dan tingkah laku (behavior) belalan