Zoology.] NATURAL HISTORY OF VICTORIA. [Insects. 



Cone-lieaded Locusts. In habits they are like many other Locusts, 

 chiefly found on the ground or low bushes, and laying then eggs 

 in the earth. They are not, however, gregarious, nor migratory, 

 being only found one here and there. The drum in first abdominal 

 segment is large, and, as usual in the family, the two hinder 

 segments of the sternum are very wide, flat, and smooth. The 

 labrum, mandibles, maxillae with their palpi, and the bilobed 

 labium, agree with the character of those parts in the family 

 generally. 



The size of individuals of this species varies considerably, but 

 the males are little less than the females, contrary to Audinet 

 Serville's impression. Some specimens are lighter than others in 

 color. The ocelli are very minute. The presternal spine is bifid 

 at the tip. 



Although not uncommon, it does not occur in the proportion of 

 one to a hundred of the yellow-winged Locust, (Edipoda musica, 

 and, like the Opsomala, has no gregarious habits, one or two indi- 

 viduals being found in one spot on the ground amongst the scrub 

 or dwarf bushes around Melbourne. The female, when depositing 

 her eggs, forces the abdomen an inch into the ground, making up 

 for want of long ovipositor of the Grasshoppers. 



Explanation of Figures. 

 Plate 140. — Fig. 1, female, natural size, flying.* Fig. la, front view of head, magnified 

 three diameters, to show the compressed face, four longitudinal keels, two eyes, three ocelli, 

 and antenna?. Fig. lb, head and thorax, viewed from ahove, magnified two diameters, to show 

 granulation and transverse sulci. Fig. lc, side view of head and thorax, to show nearly vertical 

 line of face and keel-like extension of the mctathorax over the bases of the elytra and wings, 

 magnified two diameters. Fig. \d, under-side of sternum, magnified two diameters, showing 

 the narrow presternum, with the large bifid spine between the base of the anterior pair of legs, 

 and the wide, smooth, meso- and meta-sternal parts, between the bases of the second and third 

 pairs of legs. Fig. le, hind leg, magnified two diameters, showing the chevron marks on the 

 thigh, and the two rows of coarse spines on the tibia, obsolete at base. Fig. \f, side view of 

 three-jointed tarsi, magnified three diameters. Fig. \g, same, viewed from below, showing the 

 apparent division of the basal joint and large pad between the claws. Fig. lA, one of the elytra, 

 magnified two diameters, to show the reticulation. Fig. It, one of the antennae, magnified three 

 diameters. Fig. Ik, terminal abdominal plates, viewed from behind, magnified three diameters. 

 Fig. 1/, the same, viewed from the side. Fig. 2, male, natural size, in flying position. Fig. 2a, 

 mandible, magnified three diameters. Fig. 26, maxilla?, showing bifid tip, large hood, and slender 

 palpi, magnified three diameters. Fig. 2c, bilobed labium, with three-jointed palpi, magnified 

 three diameters. Fig. 2d, sub-anal plate and appendages at end of abdomen, viewed from 

 behind, magnified three diameters. Fig. 2e, same, viewed from the side. Fig. 2/, drum iu first 

 abdominal segment, magnified two diameters. Fig. 2g, front view of compressed head, magnified 

 three diameters. Fig. 3, specimen in walking position, with the wings closed, viewed sideways, 

 natural size. Fig. 4, immature pupa, in the walking position, viewed from the side, to show the 

 very short elytra and undeveloped wings, natural size. 



Frederick McCoy. 



C 156 ] 



