46 



THE ORTHOPTERA OF MINNESOTA. 



Fig. 17. — Scelio Lug-geri. After Riley. 



in allied insects, but are of a dingy black color, with honev- 

 yellow legs. Moreover, they do not fly about actively, but 

 rather crawl over the soil. If disturbed they jump like fleas 

 and vanish from sight. 



A large number of carnivorous insects have also been 

 observed to assist us in reducing the numbers of locusts, 

 either by eating the eggs or by devouring the young insects. 

 Numerous larvae of egg-feeding beetles occur, of which the 

 most important ones belong to the genus Amara. In some 

 fields every second egg-pod contains the larva of Amara 

 latior, Kirb}'; if not actually inside the egg-pod it is found 

 upon the outside of it or very close to it. Numerous larvae 

 of a larger species {Amara obesa, Say), are also lound ; the 



Fig. 18. — Amara obesa. After Riley. 



illustration (Fig. 18) shows the different stages of this use- 

 ful insect. 



