Heavy Metal Content of the Variegated Grasshopper {Zonocerus variegatus (L.)} (Orthoptera:’ Pyrgomorphidae) Collected From Various Locations in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
DOI:36108/NJE/7002/42.0140
IDOWU, A. B., WEWE. N. AND AMUSAN, A. A. S.
ABSTRACT. The concentrations of lead (Pb2+), copper (Cu2+), zinc (Zn2+) and chromium (Cr2+) in adult Zonocerus variegatus (L.) collected. from six different locations within Abeokuta metropolis as well as in the .soils and food plants on which the grasshoppers w re II ted were determined. Z. variegatus accumulated heavy metals in its i body at concentrations significantly (P<0.05) affected by location of collection. Insects collected from lta-Oshin Industrial Estate and Mechanics’ Village had. high concentration of Pb 2+ 0.30 and 0.166mg/100g, respectively) which differed significantly from values for other 1 cations. Insects from the University Farm and Petrol Station had high concentration of u (0.083 and 0.0811. mg/100 g, respectively) which were, however, statistically comparable to values for other locations. Collections from locations with more than on ho t plant species had higher proximate values than those of locations with single ho t plant species. By these findings, it was confirmed that Z. variegatus, like other arthropod could accumulate heavy metals in its body. Thus, there is need to closely monitor the concentration of metals in the body of Z. variegatus especially in the areas where the in ct is an item of human diet.