ALLIES OF THE RED-LEGGED GRASSHOPPER 21 



eastern United States (Diapherom'era Jemora'ta) is shown 

 in Fig. 11. The body and legs are elongated to such an 

 extent that when at rest the resemblance to a twig is most 

 striking. The insect undergoes a seasonal change of color, 

 being brown when first hatched, turning green after feeding, 

 and changing to brown again as the season advances. This 

 walking stick is a voracious feeder on the leaves of trees. 

 One of the longest in- 

 sects now living is 

 a walking stick from 

 Africa, which has a 

 body about ten inches 

 long. 



Closely related to 

 the walking sticks are 

 the peculiar East In- 

 dian insects known 

 as walking leaves. In 

 these insects the ante- 

 rior wings of the fe- 

 male are green and 

 veined like a leaf . The 

 people in the countries 



where they are found believe that these insects are really 

 transformed leaves. The males are entirely different from 

 the females, having anterior wings which have no leaf-like 

 appearance. 



Mantids. The mantids are remarkable for the develop- 

 ment of the fore legs, which are unusually large and strong 

 and armed with stout spines. The function of these legs is 

 to seize and hold living prey, which consists of other insects. 

 When the mantid is lying in wait the fore legs are held up 

 in the air, but when an insect comes within reach they 

 are extended with swiftness and precision. The eggs of the 



Fig. 11. Walking stick. (About one half 

 natural size) 



