THE STUDY OF INSECTS. 



in the paving, or jump across our paths when we walk in 



the fields. They are com- 

 mon everywhere; some spe- 

 cies even live in our houses. 

 They usually feed upon plants, 

 but are sometimes predaceous. 



FIG. 135. Gryllus abbreviatus. 



The 



eggs are 



laid in the au- 



tumn, usually in the ground, and are hatched in the follow, 

 ing summer. The greater number of the old crickets die on 

 the approach of winter ; a few, however, survive the cold 

 season. Figure 135 represents the female of a species com. 

 mon in the East. In this species the wings are shorter than 

 usual. 



III. The Tree Crickets. The common name of this 

 group was suggested by the fact that these 

 crickets are very apt to inhabit trees ; but 

 they occur also on shrubs, or even on high 

 herbs and tall grass. The most abundant 

 species in the East is the Snowy Tree- 

 cricket, (EcantJius niveus (CE-can'thus niv'e- 

 us). This is a delicate, whitish-green insect, 

 that lives upon shrubs or plants. The 

 female often does serious damage by laying 

 her eggs in raspberry canes, causing them to 

 die above the puncture. Canes thus in- 

 jured should be cut and burned in the 

 early spring before the eggs are hatched. Figure 136 shows 

 the male, his closely folded wings showing beneath his 

 delicate transparent wing-covers. The female has her wing- 

 covers wrapped closely around her body, making her look 

 much narrower than the male. 



FIG. \-^6.CEcantkus 

 nii'eus, male. 



