CRICKETS. 225 



in hot dry weather, coming np in the rains, either owing to the rise of the 

 soil water or because the surface is tlien moist and cool. 



The life histories of the Indian species have not been investigated 

 but are probably similar to those of other species. In the group in 

 general, eggs arc laid in a central chamber in the ground, a large number 

 of small round egg's being deposited in a mass and cared for by the 

 parent. The young that hatch are active and sooner or later start their 

 own burrows ; they pass through the usual moults. The food is largely 

 vegetable but not universally so, and it is probable that certain species 

 are mainly or wholly insectivorous, driving their burrows through the 

 soil in search of the insects. The large brown cricket ^ (fig. 266) is 



Fig. 268. 

 The Black-headed Cricket. 



herbivorous, making very large and extensive burrows ; it comes up at 

 night, cuts off jjlants, and descends with them to its burrow. This 

 species grows to a great size and is common in Bengal, Eihar, Assam, 

 and Burma. In the rains it is driven up out of its burrows and the 

 crows then destroy a large number. This insect is also preyed upon by a 

 metallic green Digger Wasp (fig. 267), which stings it, lays an egg on it 

 and buries it in its own burrow. In spite of this cheek the insect is a 

 common field and garden pest. Another smaller brown species ^ with a 



^ 51. Brachytrypes achatinus. StoU. (Gryllidse.) 

 « 272. Gryllodes m^lanocephahis, Serv. (Gryllidse.) 



