INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OP CALIFORNIA. 



37 



THE SAND OR JERUSALEM CRICKET 



Steiiopelmatus irregularis Scudder 

 (Fig. 33) 



Description. — This is a wingless insect of a light brown or amber 

 color, with the abdomen dark excepting an extreme posterior band 

 around each segment, which is amber and gives a decided striped 

 appearance. (Fig. 33.) The antenna? are long and filiform; the legs, 

 large and strong. There are two noticeable horn-like processes on each 

 side of the posterior end, which stand perfectly upright. They are 

 light in color and slightly hairy. The ends of all spines on the legs 



Fig. 33. — The sand or Jerusalem cricket. Stenopelmatus 

 irregularis Scudd. Enlarged one and one half times. (Author's 

 illustration, Mo. Bui. Cal. Hort. Com.) 



are black. The length of the adults varies considerably, but the largest 

 an- If inches long. This species is separated from others by having 

 five inner spines above on the hind tibia?, the third and fourth of which 

 have the greatest interspace between them. 



Life History.— The life history of this species is not well known. 

 Much of the time is spent underground, especially during the day, while 

 at night it makes excursions above ground and is often quite plentiful 

 in the fall and early spring. 



Distribution. — This species is more particularly confined to the 

 central and southern parts of the State, though it also occurs in the 



