MORSE: ORTHOPTERA OF NEW ENGLAND. 409 
it most resembles the distant singing of the common toad" 
(Fulton). 
Dusky Tree-cricket. 
Oecanthus nigricomis Walker. 
Figs. 66 F, G, 71; Plate 17, fig. C. 
Oecanthus nigricomis W aIjKER, Cat. Derm. Salt. Brit. Mus., vol. 1, p. 93 
(1869).— ScuDDER, Psyche, vol. 9, p. 119 (1900). 
Oecanthus fasciatus Walden, Bull. Geol. Nat. Hist. Surv. Ct., no. 16, p. 159 
(1911). 
Very variable in amount of black in coloration, ranging from al- 
most completely black body and antennae with transparent dusky 
greenish tegmina and wings, to a generally pale green coloration 
with dusky antennae, eyes, tibiae, and tarsi. The abdomen is 
always blackish beneath, and there are often three more or less 
distinct longitudinal stripes on the middle and sides of the prono- 
tum. The black antennal markings may be lost in the general 
blackish suffusion, or may vary to the form of those characteristic 
of Oe. quadripunctatus; on the first joint the outer mark is often 
elongate triangular, prplonged obliquely outward, and often united 
broadly to the inner mark; on the second joint the marks are 
broad and nearly or quite united. 
Measurements. 
Total 
Tegmina Hind femora Antenna 
Wide Long 
Ovipositor 
Male 
. . 13-18 
4.5-5.5 10-11 8-9 24-31 
Female . . . . 
. . 15-18 
11-12.5 8-9 22-28 
5 mm. 
This Tree-cricket is closely related to Oe. quadripunctatus, 
differing mainly in coloring and in being more robust. The 
pronotum averages broader, particularly on the front margin. 
It frequents raspberry and blackberry canes and sometimes in- 
jures them severely in ovipositing. The eggs are placed close 
together in long rows with the result of weakening or killing the 
ends of the canes and thereby reducing the crop of fruit. Other 
plants in which it oviposits commonly are goldenrod, horseweed, 
and the twigs of willow, elder, maple, elm, sumac, grape, peach, 
and probably many others. The protuberances of the egg-cap are 
cylindrical, with rounded, not enlarged, tip, and only about one 
and one-half times as long as the diameter of the base. 
