ORTHOPTERA. 



179 



The GRYLLID.E, or Crickets, are characterized by having a somewhat cylindrical 

 body, and a large, vertical head, with elliptical eyes ; the antennae are long and thread- 

 like, and arise between and in front of the eyes ; the wings, when present, are of mod- 

 erate size and net-veined, and lie flat on the back ; the anterior pair are ovate, and 

 have the costal edge bent abruptly down at the sides of the body, while the hind pair 

 are triangular, net-veined, and folded like a fan. The genital armature is largely devel- 

 oped, forming long and slender exarticulate stylets, which are often nearly as long as 

 the body. The ovipositor is of variable length, cylindrical, more or less curved 

 upwards, with the end slightly enlarged and wedge-shaped. The prothorax is generally 

 small, and shield-like ; the legs are rather short, but well suited to the habits of these 

 insects. The legs are also often armed with long, sharp spines, especially among the 

 ground-dwelling species, and in their various modifications form an excellent character 

 for classification. The characters most used in classification are primarily the form, 

 but also the antenna?, ovipositor, posterior tibia?, and the labial palpi. 



The colors of the field crickets, as a rule, are various shades of dull black, or 

 brownish-gray, agreeing well with their nocturnal and ground-dwelling habits. They 

 are hermit-like, and very retiring, especially during the daytime, almost always living 

 singly, in little burrows, which they dig for themselves, and from which they seldom 

 stray far. They are timid, and generally peaceful among themselves, as well as towards 

 other insects with which they come in contact. 



In treating of the foregoing families of the Orthoptera we mentioned a great variety 

 of features belonging to each and all, some of which were interesting as well as unique ; 

 but in none did we find the power of song. The saltatorial Orthoptera, or at least all 

 such of them as possess wings, are capable of producing sounds by stridulation, which, 

 among the Gryllidse and Locustidas are not unpleasant to the ear, and may be likened 

 to the songs of birds. It is from this feature that they have become more popularly 

 known than are most of the other Orthoptera. 



While the preceding families are chiefly confined to the tropics, and to the warmer 

 parts of the temperate countries, the Gryllida? are more equally distributed over the 

 earth's surface where the climate is sufficiently warm to permit 

 of their maturing. They are herbivorous, but not strictly so, 

 since they are known to devour dead animal matter, and to 

 prey upon other soft insects. 



The lowest type of this family, as it is at present limited, is 

 composed of what may be called the Fossorial Orthoptera. 

 These are among the "rarities" of insect life, on account of 

 their secluded habits. They are odd looking creatures, and 

 bear a striking resemblance to the mole, with its greatly devel- 

 oped front legs modified for burrowing. These Mole-crickets, 

 as they are called, are of rather large size, and have their mem- 

 bers admirably adapted to burrowing. They live underground, 

 and very seldom leave their burrows to come to the surface, 

 and then always after dark. Their bodies are almost cylindrical, 

 quite long, and densely covered with very short, fine hairs ; their 

 feet are short and thick ; their front, or burrowing legs, are short, and greatly enlarged, 

 and, as it were, fingered, so as to greatly resemble in appearance those of the common 

 mole. They do not jump, like the rest of the Gryllidae, nor is there any necessity for 

 this accomplishment in the subterranean life they lead. They are the true moles of the 



FIG. 255. Grt/l/o/alpa aus- 

 tralis, mole-cricket. 



