272 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



power of ejecting a viscid, nauseous fluid for protection, and if several 

 are confined in close quarters they invariably get badly " stuck up " if ex- 

 cited. After first moult the colour of the dorsal part of the abdomen is 

 darker. 



The larval stage evidently lasts about two years. Several specimens 

 taken Jan. 4, 1892, were about 13 mm. long. These kept in confinement 

 in a warm room during the winter moulted April i8th, when all died. 

 They were then about 16 mm. in length. May 20, two or three larvre 

 were found which were very little larger than those taken in January be- 

 fore. They are said to be inactive in winter, hence had not grown so 

 fast as those kept in a warm room. Along with these small larvae were 

 taken some about 18 mm. in length, but much stouter in appearance, all 

 of which had pupated before June 18. These last larvae were evidently 

 about two years old, and after pupating were not distinguishable from 

 pupae taken at the same time. 



3. The pttpa. — After pupating they are about 29 mm. in length, witn 

 considerable increase in thickness, especially in the abdomen. There is 

 a very slight change in appearance otherwise, except for the appearance 

 of the small wing pads. 



This stage evidently lasts almost a year. Those which pupated in 

 June, or last of May, will not deposit eggs this year. They are yet 

 (Aug. 15) pupse, 



4. Imago. — The mature insect has but short, apparently feeble wings, 

 while the body is long and heavy, hence their powers of flight are 

 evidently not great. The male measures about 31 mm. in length, while 

 the female may reach 37 mm. or 38 mm. This stage has been described 

 and figured in various publications. 



Food Habits.— It is generally supposed that the mole cricket lives 

 chiefly upon roots of grasses, etc. I much doubt that this is the usual 

 food, and it is certainly not the entire food. In the wild stage the bur- 

 rows are generally found in moist, sandy places near the water, often 

 where no vegetation is found. They make long, winding channels, often 

 six to eight inches deep, forming new burrows very much like a mole. 

 This habit would seem to indicate that they are in search of animal food, 

 especially angle or earth worms. In confinement they seem to feed but 

 little, if at all, upon roots of grasses, and for several months they have had 

 nothing but earth worms given them, and they seem to thrive upon this 

 diet. If pressed by hunger they will readily devour the smaller or 



