146 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST 



ing, this is usually similar to that of an individual while at rest. 

 Occasionally, however, the legs are held rather far apart .and 

 rarely are elevated. The pictures of ovipositing females holding 

 'the posterior legs high above their body depicts a common attitude 

 while the insect is forcing her abdomen into the soil. In the 

 Q5^dipodina% at least, the position is so natural that it is neces- 

 sary to view the insect clcsely to ascertain whether she is oviposit- 

 ing or merely resting. 



The fact that egg sacks are of various shapes is due to obstacles 

 met with while the insect is drilling — egg masses are thus, at times, 

 almost perpendicular, at others semi-horizontal. The natural 

 shape is a gradual curl away from the ovipositing insect. 



(Edipodinae. 



Arphia pseudonietana Thom. This beautiful species reaches 

 maturity late in summer and oviposition takes place in September 

 and October. An individual located on September 21, 1917, had 

 her abdomen fully inserted into the ground when she was first 

 found, in which position she remained stationary for 24 minutes. 

 She then withdrew her ovipositor without depositing any eggs, 

 and moving slightly commenced a fresh hole, taking six minutes 

 in the operation. While thus employed she rested upon her four 

 front legs and held the hind ones in the air, kicking spasmodically 

 with first one and then the other. Having obtained the desired 

 depth she became motionless and remained thus for 28 minutes. 

 She then again withdrew her abdomen and commenced a fresh 

 hole within an inch of the last, the results of which could not, un- 

 fortunately, be ascertained owing to the observer having to hasten 

 awav to catch a train. The situation in which this locust was 

 attempting to o\ipcsit consisted of sparse vegetation alongside 

 of a dry ditch, the soil being rather hard and clay-like in texture. 

 Many individuals of the same species were present in the vicinity. 

 A search on ()ctober 1st was rewarded by two examples being 

 discovered ovipositing on the edge of an old trail, their operations 

 were evidently well under way and became completed in 26 and 

 33 minutes, respecti\'ely. On withdrawing their abdomens the 

 insects remained motionless for a few seconds and then slowly 

 commenced kicking the soil into the cavity, pdshing it in from 



