28 



A pnpa may be distinguished from a short-winged imago, by 

 having the wing covers twisted around so that the faces and mar- 

 gins are the reverse of what they are in the perfect insect. 



Warm, dry weather is favorable to the increase of grasshoppers, 

 and it is in excessively dry seasons that they are most injurious. 

 Dampness is undoubtedly the most efficient natural agent for keep- 

 ing them in check. Although the}' may hatch in great numbers, 

 3'et, if a rainy season follow soon after, they will to a large extent 

 be destroyed. Extreme changes during the winter appear to de- 

 stroy the vitality of the eggs. 



Grasshoppers are preyed upon in their various stages by quite a 

 number of different species of insects, and especially by a reddish- 

 colored mite, which adheres to them in large numbers, and, by 

 sucking their blood, weakens and finally destroys them. Very 

 many of our native birds feed on them, and domestic fowls are 

 great aids in their destruction. It is doubtful if any artificial 

 remedies can be used profitably, except when a great invasion is 

 threatened, as sometimes occurs ; and then it may prove safe and 

 profitable to sprinkle the crops, ahead of the invading hosts, with 

 Paris green or other poisonous insecticides. 



The sub-families represented in New England may be separated 

 by the following table : — 



, f Pronotum extending back to the tip of the abdomen . Tettiginoe. 



i Pronotum not extending back to the tip of the abdomen . .2. 



^ / Prosternum witli a prominent spine .... Acridince. 



\ Prosternum not spined, or with only an oblique tubercle . . 3. 



„ f Face very oblique • Trnxalince. 



1 Face not oblique, or but slightly so .... (Edipodiuce. 



Synopsis of the Acridince. 



. J Wings abortive or wanting Pezotettix. 



I Wings well developed . . . . . • / . • .2. 



2 J Median carina of the pronotum somewhat prominent . Acridium. 



I Median carina of the pronotum not prominent . . . .3. 



f Hind femora not reaching the end of the wing covers . Melanoplus. 



3. \ Hind femora reachmg or surpassing the end of the wing covers, 



i Paroxya. 



Genus Pezotettix. Burmeister (1840). 



Body medium size ; female narrow posteriorly. Head large ; 

 face perpendicular, or nearly so ; vertex between the eyes narrow, 

 in front of these, short, somewhat deflexed, concave, no foveolse ; 

 frontal costa, lateral carinse, and cheek carinie, distinct ; frontal 

 costa generally convex above the ocellus ; eyes sub-ovate or sub- 

 globose ; antennae cylindrical, reaching the tip of the pronotum ; 



