FAMILY VII.— (^KYLLID^. 



2(i3 



"The chirping of the striped cricket is very similar to 

 that of the black field cricket ; and may 

 be expressed by r-r-r-u, pronounced as 

 though it were a French word. The note 

 is trilled forcibly, and lasts a variable 

 length of time. One of these insects was 

 once observed while singing to its mate. 

 At first the song was mild and frequently 

 broken; afterwards it grew impetvious, 

 forcible and more prolonged; then it de- 

 creased in volume and extent until it be- 

 came quite soft and feeble. At this point 

 the male began to approach the female, 

 uttering a series of twittering chirps; the 

 female ran away, and the male, after a 

 short chase, returned to his old haunt, 

 singing with the same vigor but with 

 more frequent pauses. At length finding 

 all persuasions unavailing, he brought 



his serenade to a close." 



Fig. 171 shows another Nemobius, a few of which were 



found in Minnesota. 



Nemobius exiguus Scudder. 



THE LESSER STRIPED GROUND-CRICKET. 



This also occurs in Minnesota, and is found in company 

 with vittatus, from which it may be known by its mucb 

 smaller size, lighter color, and by the last two segments of 

 the maxillary palpus being white. Its ovipositor is much 

 shorter, being only one-half to two-thirds the length of the 

 hind femora, whereas in vittatus it is fully as long. 



Length of body, male, 7 mm., of female, 8 mm.; of hind 

 femora, 6 mm.; of ovipositor, 3-4- mm. 



Nemobius socius Scudder. 

 A few very small crickets were captured near the electric 

 light in St. Paul. Prof. Bruner pronounced them to be this 

 species, which is, however, a southern one. 



Fig. 171.— .Vemo6/us spec, 

 female. Original. 



