SUBFAMILY ARCIDINAE 77 
is not usually distinct or well marked. Riley has stated that the 
species attains maturity by September 1, at St. Louis, Missouri, but in 
Iowa we have taken adults in some numbers early in August and here 
in Minnesota by August 20, and have noted oviposition in the field by 
September 9. The species is fond of dry soil and in Minnesota, as 
also in Iowa, is most common in open woodlands. We have taken it 
at Albert Lea, Mahtomedi, Mankato, Redwood Falls, Florence, and 
Granite Falls. 
Melanoplus dawsoni Scudd. 
Melanoplus dawsoni is brighter in coloration but quite similar 
superficially to the preceding, although readily distinguished by the 
characters given in the key. This insect appears to have an irregular 
breeding period, since we have taken adults at Fergus Falls on June 21, 
while as late as July 25 nymphs and newly moulted adults were taken 
at the same locality. It is a much more common and widely distrib- 
uted species within our area than MW. scudderi, and appears to adapt 
itself to more varied conditions of habitat than any other of our 
brachypterous forms. In this State, as in lowa, the short-winged 
form is the common one and the long-winged form rare. We have 
before us a specimen of the latter form, taken in August, at Fergus 
Falls, in which the tegmina are longer than the abdomen. It was 
taken in company with MW. luridus, on gravelly hillsides along the Otter- 
tail River. This long-winged form has been given the varietal name 
M. d. completus Brun. As stated, this species is at home in widely ~ 
varying habitats, but appears to be most abundant amid such brushy 
growths as Symphoricarpos, Corylus, and Taxus. It has been found 
throughout Minnesota and the following are but a few of the records 
that might be given: Pipestone, Albert Lea, Redwood Falls, St. Paul, 
Mahtomedi, Fergus Falls, Crookston, Bemidji, Blackduck, Lake Win- 
' nibigoshish, Grand Rapids, Vermillion Lake, Duluth, and Hinckley. 
The following from Mr. Howard’s notes will be of interest here: “On 
July 15, nymphs in stages III, [V, and V, were taken near Fergus 
Falls, which moulted to adults by July 22. At Fergus Falls, adults 
were taken July 13, nymphs were also taken, and on July 25 nymphs 
in stages IV and V, were still numerous at Foxhome. By August 10 
copulation was taking place in the breeding cages, and oviposition be- 
gan by the middle of the month. Egg pods were of the usual Melano- 
plus type, and about three quarters of an inch long. Adults of this 
species were very abundant until September 1, at Fergus Falls, after 
which date they became more and more scarce until September 10, 
when they had practically disappeared, and after that date no further 
observations were made.” 
