CHAPTER III 



Life-history. Habits. 



Nearly, if not quite, every distinct species of animal or plant 

 lias a special life-history of its o\Yn which differs in some re- 

 spects from that of all others. The life-history of pai-diiensis 

 so far as l<nown ma_v be brieily stated as follows: 



The saltonas hatch from eggs laid in the ground by the vohi- 

 doi'as. These saltonas molt or shed their skin six times and 

 become lull grown locusts. In due time these locusts go into 

 winter quarters where they change their general color and 

 remnin till spring. The}^ again stirabout as the warm weather 

 of this season increases, change color once more, mate, and 

 lay eggs, thus completing the life cycle. 



The eggs remain in the ground from twenty-hve to sixty or 

 seventy days before hatching. When hatching takes place the 

 little n3aiiphs or saltonas work their way to the surface through 

 the pith-like substance that fills the hole between the eggs and 

 the open air. On arriving at the surface they shed a skin or 

 covering l^y Avhich they have thus far been enveloped, rest a 

 little while, then liop away and begin feeding. In four or five 

 days another molt takes place, and at intervals thereafter four 

 other sheddings of the skin occur. Under favorable conditions 

 the saltona attains its growth in fort\^-five to fifty days ; but 

 unfavorable conditions, like cool, damp or very dry weather 

 may extend the time a week or ten days. The shortest period 

 between molts is that immediately after hatching and the 

 shedding of the skin in which the insect leaves the egg-pod. 

 This occurs in four or [\wc days as stated above. Af"ter this, 



