HOW TO KNOW THE INSECS 



Fig. 76. Melanoplus differential! s 

 Thomas The Differential Locust. 



Varies in color from yellow through 

 greenish yellow to blackish. Prominent 

 diagonal stripes on femora and other 

 markings black. Length 30-45 mm. 



Figure 76. 



To this family belong the species of 

 grasshoppers that have been responsible for 

 heavy crop losses throughout the history of man. The Rocky i:oun- 

 tsin Locust was particularly destructive because of its migratory 

 habits. Our lot^'a species, though sometimes doing heavy damage, 

 seldom fly long distances. The Pigmy or carouse locusts, which we 

 include here, are small and have the pronotum prolonged to or be- 

 yond the tip of the abdomen. 



5a Body flattened and oval; head covered with pronotum. (The 

 Cock-roaches) Fig. 77. Family 1, BLATTIDAE 



Fig. 77. Parcoblatta pennsylva n ica De Geer 

 The Pennsylvania V/ood Koach. 



Pronotum dark brown, marked with yellow- 

 ish; upper wings brown, with yellowish 

 side margin. Wings of male as shown; of 

 f empale only about half as long as abdomen. 

 This seems to be our most abundant native 

 roach. Length of body 13-135 mm. 



Roaches are alike in being soft, smooth 

 and slippery. Several species are fairly 

 common in Iowa and may be pests about the 

 kitchen or in restaurants and store houses. 

 They have long associated with man but 

 greatly outdate him. in antiquity. A bea.u- 

 tiful pale green roach ( Panchlora cubensls 

 ?isL-.re 7^. Sauss . ) IS somctlmes found in bananas but 

 does not establish itself in our climate. 

 5b Head free; body elongate; prothorax long and slim. ... 6 

 6a Front legs fitted for catching insect prey and held in a 

 characteristic prayerful attitude. (The Praying Mantes) 

 Fig. 78 Family 2, MANTIDAE 



Fig. 78. Stagomantls Carolina (Johann- 

 son) The Carolina Mantis. 



Females dark brovm, sometimes greenish 

 yellow; males gray or grayish brown. 

 Length 45-55 mm. 



This species is not native to the 

 state, but now and then one of these 

 very unusual appearing Insects is found 

 where it has been brought in from out- 

 side. They are valuable in killing 

 destructive insects. 

 narrow, cylindrical, wingless insects. 



6b Front legs normal 



(The Walking Sticks) Fig. 79 



Fami ly 3, PHASMIDAE 



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