1-29 



fifths of an inch, in length. The generic name, Tridactylus, is based upon 

 the peculiar structure of the anterior tibia? which are much dilated and 

 arm* d at the end with three strong and sligh'ly curved spurs. The outer 

 wiogs, or tegmina, are horny and opaque and do not reach the end of the 

 abdou en, while the inner wings are longer and folded lengthwise like a 

 fan. The hind femora are enlarged and the insects are active leapers. But 

 one species has as yet been taken in Indiana, though another one doubt- 

 less occurs in the northern half of the state. 

 1. Tridactylus APicALis, Say. 



Tridactylus apicalis, Say, Ent. N. A., (Ed. LeConte), II, 239. 



Scudder, Bost. Jour. Nat. Hist., VII, 1862, 425. 



Packard, Guide Stud. Ins., 1883, 563. 



Riley. Stand. Nat. Hist., II, 1884, 180. 



McNeill, Psyche, VI, 1891, 3. 

 This is the largest of the three species occurring in the U. S., its length 

 being 8 or 9 mm.* The body is deep black, the head and thorax with 

 some white markings, and the tegmina with their outer edge and a spot 

 behind the middle white. The hind femora are whitish, with three faint, 

 dark cross bars. The wings of the male extend three mm. beyond the tip 

 of the abdomen. 



Apicalis, is stated by most of the authorities cited above, to be a southern 

 species, but has been taken as far north as Quincy, Illinois. In Indiana it 

 has, so far as known, been noted only in Vigo county, where a few speci- 

 mens were discovered along the banks of a small stream during the latter 

 part of October, 1891. They evidently dwell ia little pits or burrows in 

 the soft sand or mud, as numerous openings of such places were found, 

 from one or two of which specimens emerged and leaped into the water on 

 which they floated for an instant and then sprang back onto the bank. 

 The most of the inhabitants of the pits had, no doubt, been killed by the 

 frost before the species was discovered, and another season will have to 

 arrive before anything distinctive of their habits can be learned. 

 II. Gryllotalpa, LatreiUe (1807). The Mole Crickets. 

 Among the Gryili Is found in Indiana the burrowing or mole crickets 

 rank first in size and singularity of structure. When full grown they meas- 

 ure f roaa an inch and a fourh to an inch and a half in length ; are light 

 brown in color and have the body covered with very short hairs, giving to it 



=-=The measuremems in this paper are usually given in millimetres. An inch is equal 

 to very nearly 25 mm. 



