GRASSHOPPERS — GURNET AND BROOKS 45 



preoviposition period ranging from 90 to 176 days, during which no ovarian 

 development or copulation takes place. The breaking of this diapause, or period 

 of arrested development, apparently depends on temperature and food. Cool 

 fall weather, with rains sufficient to germinate the seed of annual plants, appears 

 to be the determining factor in breaking the diapause. 



Middlekauff (1958) more recently summarized observations on the 

 bionomics of devastator. 



The following are some early and late capture dates noted on 

 specimens examined: California: San Bernardino, May 14; Kern 

 Lake, Kern Co., May 22; San Luis Obispo, June 14; Monterey Co., 

 Oct. 31; Roseville, Nov. 26; Red Bluff, Dec. 2. Washington: 

 Tacoma, Sept. 25. 



Melanoplus bruneri Scudder 



Figures l,g; 2,a,b; 3,k,l; 7,i; 9,a; 10,b,k,r; 11, a; 12; 13; 16,h; Plate 3, a, 



Melanoplus bruneri Scudder, Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc, vol. 36 (154), pp. 19, 32, 

 1897; Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. 20, pp. 132, 164-166, pi. 11, fig. 7, 1897 

 (males, females, 12 localities in Alberta, Montana, Nebraska, Colorado, and 

 Washington). Lectotype designated by Rehn and Hebard (1912, p. 79) : Male 

 labeled "Ft. McLeod, B. A. Aug. 82" (near southwest corner of Alberta; 

 itinerary described by Bruner, 1883, who was given as collector by Scudder, 

 1897b, p. 166) (ANSP). 



Melanoplus excelsus Scudder, Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc, vol. 36 (154), pp. 19, 32, 

 1897; Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. 20, pp. 132, 166-167, pi. 11, fig. 9, 1897 

 (males, females, above timber, 11,000 to 13,000 ft., Mt. Lincoln, Park Co., 

 Colo.). Lectotype designated by Rehn and Hebard (1912, p. 79): Male 

 (MCZ). 



Melanoplus alaskanus Scudder, Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc, vol. 36 (154), pp. 20, 32, 

 1897; Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. 20, pp. 132, 169-170, pi. 12, fig. 1, 1897 

 (2d*, 19, Alaska; Spilmacheen, British Columbia). Lectotype designated 

 by Rehn and Hebard (1912, p. 79): Male from Alaska (USNM). 



Hebard (1929, p. 390) considered M. defectus Scudder and M. di- 

 midipennis Bruner synonyms of M. bruneri, but the types indicate 

 that defectus is a subspecies of bilituratus, and dimidipennis a synonym 

 of bilituratus bilituratus. 



Hebard (1928, p. 284; 1929, p. 390) indicated the synonymy of 

 excelsus, which is borne out by the lectotype. The posterior surface 

 of the subgenital plate is dimpled, but not vertically grooved nor 

 incised at the apex, a condition included in the variation of bruneri, 

 and the aedeagus is typical of bruneri. 



Walker (1910, 1920) indicated the synonymy of alaskanus, and the 

 lectotypes of alaskanus and bruneri demonstrate that synonymy. 

 Earlier, Walker (1906) had recorded alaskanus from Vernon, British 

 Columbia, with the identity questioned. In 1909 Walker discussed 

 the variation shown by an Ontario series, as correlated with the 

 differences in Scudder's descriptions of the two supposed species 

 (alaskanus and bruneri) and he then reduced alaskanus to a variety of 



