Estimation of population productivity of Parapleurus alliaceus Germar (Orthoptera: Acridiidae) on a Miscanthus sinensis Anders. grassland : II. Population productivity in terms of dry weight.

The population production of Parapleurus alliaceus Germar on a Miscanthus sinensis Anders. grassland was studied in terms of dry weight for the purpose of measuring the role of this species in the community metabolism of the grassland. This study deals with the growth, ingestion, defaecation and assimilation of individuals. Standing crop and the amount of dead biomass were estimated using the results for population dynamics reported in Nakamura et al. (1971). Standing crops of the population at the beginning of the adult stage (August) were 17 g/100 m2 in 1968 and 6 g/100 m2 in 1969. The biomass mortality during the period from June 16 to August 23 was 1.3 g/100 m2 in 1969. The population consumed 242 g/100 m2 of M. sinensis leaves during July and August in 1968 and 97.6 g/100 m2 in 1969. The P. alliaceus population described had little effect on the primary production of M. sinensis grassland.