8 ELEMENTARY STUDIES IN INSECT LIFE 



things, but if these are not at hand it will satisfy itself 

 with such fare as can be procured. For instance, it 

 wisely climbs up a tree and eats the fruit before disturb- 

 ing the leaves of the tree. If fruit or cereals or garden 

 vegetables are not at hand, it can make a very good 

 meal upon sunflowers. These grasshoppers, like many 

 other insects, are creatures of habit, and their days are 

 spent generally in about the following way: Before sun- 

 rise the nymphs and adults begin to climb to the tops of 

 weeds or fence-posts, and remain there till about ten 

 o'clock. If the article upon which they rest is edible, 

 they amuse themselves by nibbling away. About ten 

 o'clock in the morning they descend, and feed lower 

 down. During the middle of the day they hop about, 

 generally moving in some one direction. The instinct 

 of fear is not wanting even among grasshoppers, and 

 the smaller ones always give place upon the approach 

 of the older ones. About three o'clock in the afternoon 

 these insects take some elevation, much the same as they 

 do in the morning, to remain until sundown and some- 

 times even throughout the night. Grasshoppers are 

 strongly influenced by the weather. On cool and 

 cloudy days they are sluggish and inactive; on warm 

 and sultry days they live an active life. 



Thus they spend the time until the fall of the year. 

 Then the females deposit their eggs, which are to con- 

 tinue the species. It is not difficult during September 

 and October to observe the females ovipositing. When 

 they have begun, they are not easily disturbed. A fe- 

 male in quest of a suitable position for placing the eggs 

 generally moves slowly about for some time, testing the 

 ground over which she passes. During this time the tip 



