FAMILY VII.-GRVLLIU^. 



2G5 



and underside of body. In older examples this pubescence 

 becomes abraded, and the insect is then very gloss^^ The 

 wing-covers are as long or more or less shorter than the 

 body, and vary in color from ochraceous brown to pitchy 

 black. The hind wings are shorter, or as long, or extend 

 considerably beyond the wing-covers, as tail-like projec- 

 tions. 



Length, 10 to 20 mm.; ovipositor, 12 to 15 mm. 



This description includes a number of forms or varieties. 

 G. luctuosus Serv. is the form with the hind wings project- 

 ing like tails beyond the wing-covers; 

 G. neglectus Scudder is the form with 

 the wing-covers as long or shorter 

 than the abdomen in the female and 

 as long as the abdomen in the male; 

 G. nigra Harris is the form with a 

 somewhat shorter ovipositor. This 

 insect is not common in Minnesota. 



Fig. 173 shows a female o{ Gryllus 

 pennsylvanicus, and Figs. 174 and 

 175 both sexes of Grylhis assimilis. 



No doubt other species occur in 

 our fauna, but they have not as yet 

 been studied. Many of the immature 

 crickets hibernate under stones and 

 other shelters ; if they are placed to- 

 gether in a box they speedily fight 

 and the weaker ones are eaten. 



There is, however, an European species that is getting 

 too common in some houses, so that complaints are made 

 about it by tenants. This is the European House-Cricket, 

 or "Cricket of the hearth." 



Fig. 173 — Gryllvs pean- 

 sylvanicus, female, origi- 

 nal. 



