2^6 



LOCUSTS, IIOPPEBS, SURFACE BEETLES, ETC. 



'^ 



black head is reported io be destructive to sorghum in Upper Sind and 



to crops in Shahpur, Punjab (fig. 268). 



A widely distributed species is the two-spotted cricket,^ a black 



insect with a yellow spot on each wing (fig. 260). It occurs in various 



parts of India and has been found attacking a variety of crops. 



In addition to the injury done by cutting plants, these insects are also 



injurious to the roots, cutting 

 through the roots in the course 

 of making their burrows. In 

 the rains, when their burrows 

 are near the surface, this form 

 of damage may be extensive. 



The Mole Cricket ^ is 

 particiilarly injurious in this 

 connection, though there is 

 some reason to believe it is 

 useful in destroying insects, 

 and that it injures the plants 

 only when seeking for pests. 

 This insect is noticeable for 

 the beautifully adapted fore- 

 legs and prothorax, the former 

 broad and toothed for digging, 

 the latter round and hard for 

 forcing through the soil ; the 

 abdomen is peculiarly soft. 

 This is a common insect, often 



Fig. 269. 

 The Two-spotted Cricket. {Natural size.) 



found at night in houses, drawn there by the lights. 



Fio. 270. 

 The Mole Cricket. 



» 185. Liogryllus Umaculatus. deG. (Gryllidae.) 

 2 260. Gri/llofalfa africana, PaL B. (GryllidiB.) 



