Impact of abiotic factors on population of acridoid fauna (Orthoptera) in Aligarh Fort, Uttar Pradesh, India

A regular survey was carried out weekly during the period of January to December 2011 from Aligarh Fort to record Acridoid fauna. Their population have been compared with three abiotic factors i.e., temperature, humidity and rainfall. Altogether 29 species representing 21 genera belonging to 3 tribes, 7 subfamilies and three families have been recorded from this region. Out of 29 species Acrididae, Catantopidae and Pyrgomorphidae are represented by 14, 10 and 5 species respectively. Maximum number of specimens as well as species have been recorded in the month of August, September and October whereas minimum number of specimens and species recorded in the month of December, January and February. Acridoid population positively correlate with maximum temperature, minimum temperature, minimum relative humidity and rainfall but do not correlate with maximum relative humidity.