HABITS OF LOCUSTS. 



61 



stage, and as the locust moults twice afterwards before the 

 final imago stage is reached, it may be said to have three 

 pupal stages. When we compare the freshly-hatched larva 

 with the adult, we see that the only important difference is 

 the presence of wings. 



There is no great change, such as marks the life-history 

 of a butterfly. Perhaps it is by reason of their incomplete 

 metamorphosis, the general uniformity of their habits, and 

 their living on vegetable food, that Orthoptera are not 

 numerous in species compared with the beetles and higher 

 orders. 



The locusts lay their eggs in packets in the ground 

 (Fig. 45). With its ovipositor, which is made up of 



FIG. 45. -Rocky Mountain locust laying its eggs (c) one by one, forming an oval 

 mass. All natural size. After Riley. 



three pairs of short spines, the two outer pairs very large 

 and stout, the locust thrusts its hind body deep into the 

 earth and deposits a packet of eggs. 



Many dangers attend the life of these insects. To over- 

 come or to avoid them, many of them, as certain katydids, 

 the leaf-insects, and the stick-insects, mimic leaves and 

 sticks, so that insectivorous birds are deceived by them. 



Locusts are also attacked by parasites: little red mites 

 stick to their bodies; hair-worms, and especially the mag- 



