Physemacris variolosa has a fairly wide geographic distribution, where it is common throughout the south-western regions of South Africa, extending also along the south coast. It is classified as Least Concern (LC) based on its wide distribution and its abundance.
Distribution
Physemacris variolosa is endemic to South Africa, where it is distributed throughout much of the Western Cape Province and along the coast into the Eastern Cape Province. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) is ca 265,000 km².
Physemacris variolosa emerges seasonally, and has been observed from August to January. The population size and trend are unknown for the species, although it is fairly abundant.
Threats
Potential threats to Physemacris variolosa include climate change (less rainfall resulting in a loss of suitable habitat) and land use change as a result of urban development and agriculture.
Uses and trade
This species is not utilised.
Conservation
There are no conservation actions for the species, but it occurs in protected areas. There is much variation within the species in body size, colour pattern, and shape of the pronotum (Dirsh 1965). Research into its ecology, threats and population trends is required.
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address = {www.iucnredlist.org},
author = {IUCN},
title = {The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2018-1},
year = {2018}
}
,@electronic{15431178,
address = { http://Orthoptera.SpeciesFile.org},
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title = {Orthoptera Species File. Version 5.0/5.0},
year = {2014}
}
,@article{100946558,
author = {Dirsh, V.M.},
journal = {Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) Entomology },
pages = {325--396},
title = {Revision of the family Pneumoridae (Orthoptera: Acridoidea)},
volume = {15.0},
year = {1965}
}
,@article{100946698,
author = {Dirsh, V.M.},
journal = {Eos : Revista Española de Entomología },
number = {1-2},
pages = {177--184},
title = {Three new genera and species of the family Pneumoridae},
volume = {39.0},
year = {1963}
}
,@phdthesis{100946698,
author = {Donelson, N.C.},
school = {Bowling Green State University},
title = {Inter- and intraspecific variation in the superfamily Pneumoroidea},
year = {2007}
}
,]
