132 TRUE TALES OF THE INSECTS. 



fact that not a single member of the great family 

 Ichneumonidae — insects essentially parasitic — is known 

 to attack the locust, either in Europe or America. 



Some Species of Acridiidcc Present an Umisiial Aspect. 



The very large number of species of Acridiida; have 

 been recently arranged in nine tribes. Although the 

 migratory locusts, just considered, and, indeed, the 

 majority of this great host, are readily recognized from 

 their family resemblance as belonging to the group, 

 there are others that present an unusual aspect. Such 

 is speciall)- the case with the members of the tribes 

 Proscopides, Tettigides, and Pneumorides, and with 

 some of the wingless forms of the Oedipodides, a species 

 of which we figure. 



The tribe Proscopides (see Fig. 21) includes some of 

 the most curious of the Acridiidse. Of their metamor- 

 phoses, which are probably trifling, we are ignorant ; of 

 their habits we know little. Their colours are sober 

 and dull, and Breitenbach describes the finding of some 

 in abundance which he had overlooked for a long time, 

 since they exactly resemble the withered vegetation 

 amongst which they sit. When alarmed they seek safety 

 with a lengthy and " lightning-like " leap. Their general 

 resemblance to Phasmidse, or Stick Insects, is striking. 



