216 



LOCUSTS, HOPPEES, SURFACE BEETLES, ETC. 



Tlie permanent breeding gronnds appear to be in the sand hills of 

 Western Rajputana, in Baluchistan, Southern Afghanistan, and Persia ; 

 from these places swarms fly over Rajputana into India. This locust 

 lays its eggs in sandy places, depositing a single mass containing 

 from fifty to one hundred eggs. These hatch in about three weeks and 

 the hoppers are at first green, later black. They are said to moult four 

 times, but probably do so more often. Maturity is said to be attained in 

 from one to two months, after wliioh they form into swarms and fly. 

 Within another two to four months they couple and lay eggs, provided 

 a suitable spot is found. 



The whole life apparently occupies from five to seven months, and 

 there are in India two broods in the year. There is apparently no 

 regularity in the periods of egg-laying, which depend upon the amount 

 of food available and the local conditions. An insect that migrates over 

 vast distances will probably have changed habits in various localities 



Fig. 255. 

 Tiggs and Nymphs of the Migratory Locust. 



and be dependent upon climatic conditions. Wliilst the winged insects 

 have the usual habit of flying in swarms, the young form swarms which 

 move over the ground and devour all green stuff within reach. In this 



