608. 

 LOCUSTA CHRISTII. 



Order Orthoptera. Fam. Gryllidae or Locustidae. 



Type of the Genus, Gryllus migratorius Linn. 

 LocusTA Leach, Curt. — Gry\\.\\s Linn., Fab., Charp. — Acrydium Za^. 

 Antennee inserted in a cavity before and between the eyes, not 

 longer than the thorax, slender, filiform and composed of be- 

 tween 20 and 30 joints, basal joint stout and subglobose, 2nd 

 small subovate, 4 following smaller and unequal, 7th and 8th 

 rather longer and broader, the remainder decreasing in length 

 to the apex, (1, eight of the basal joints). 



Labrum very large, orbicular-quadrate, notched on the sides, the 

 anterior portion forming a transverse lobe, with all the angles 

 rounded, the centre emarginate (2). 



Mandibles very thick and trigonate, the internal apex thin, fur- 

 rowed and somewhat serrated (3) . 



Maxillae terminated by a strong corneous process on the inside, 

 bifid at the apex, with a large external, curved, hollow lobe. 

 Palpi a little longer than the labial, filiform, pilose and 5-jointed, 

 2 basal joints very short, 2 following of equal length, a little 

 elongated, 5th a little the longest, slightly clavate, truncate and 

 hollow at the apex (4) . 



Mentum short and broad, lunate. Labium large, subcordate, 

 coriaceous, cleft before, forming 2 semiovate lobes, slightly pu- 

 bescent. Palpi short, attached to the sides near the middle of 

 the lip, triarticulate, basal joint obovate, 2nd longer, cylindric, 

 3rd as long, subclavate, truncated and hollow at the apex (5). 

 Males often smaller than the females. Head large, crown semiovate, 

 with the oval Eyes on each side ; face ovate, being broadest towards 

 the mouth (1 *), a broad ridge above, extending down the middle : 

 oceUi Z, forming a large triangle at the upper part of the face between 

 the eyes, 2 being above, and one below the antennee. Thorax corset- 

 shaped, broadest behind, generally carinated, the base more or less 

 produced. Abdomen attenuated, with a tympanum on each side at the 

 base (7), the apex terminated by 2 short filaments and a lobe in the 

 males {^), and by 2 filaments and 2 pointed lobes above and 2 simi- 

 lar ones beneath in the females ( $ ). Wings extending beyond the 

 body, especially in the males and very much reticulated ; superior 

 deflexed, coriaceous and narrow ; inferior membranous very ample 

 and folded. Legs, 4 anterior simple, hinder very long and powerful, 

 formed for leaping : thighs, posterior very stout at the base, at- 

 tenuated, with longitudinal and oblique transverse elevated lines on 

 both sides : tibiae, hinder with 2 series of sharp spines outside, and 

 larger ones at the apex: tarsi triarticulate, basal joint oblong, 2nd 

 short, lobed beneath, 3rd clavate : claws acute ; pulvilli one-lobed. 



Christii Curt. Guide, Gen. 449. 



In the Cabinets of Miss Ball and the Author. 



