io Descriptive Zoology. 



bases of the wings. They are often destroyed in large 

 numbers by the growth of a parasitic fungus in their 

 bodies. Every boy knows that when the grasshopper is 

 captured he ejects from the mouth a dark liquid secreted 

 by the crop. This is probably a means of defense. 



Sounds made by Grasshoppers. Sounds are produced 

 by the males only. Some grasshoppers make the noise 

 by rubbing the bases of the legs against the bases of the 

 outer wings. Others, while flying, rub the under surface 

 of the base of the outer wing over the upper surface of 

 the base of the inner wing. The katydids and crickets 

 make the sound, while at rest, by rubbing the wings against 

 each other. 



Colors of the Grasshopper. Although the grasshopper 

 is decidedly inconspicuous when at rest, on account of 

 the protective resemblance in color, yet it is to be ob- 

 served that in some species the inner wings are con- 

 spicuously colored, making the insect very noticeable 

 during flight. 



Development of the Grasshopper. The ovaries occupy 

 the upper part of the abdomen of the female. When full 

 of ripe eggs they take a good share of the space in the 

 abdomen. The oviducts extend down and back, opening 

 between the sharp points at the end of the abdomen. These 

 four sharp points together form the ovipositor. In lay- 

 ing the eggs the female presses the tips of the four 

 points close together, which makes a strong and fairly 

 good digging tool. This is thrust into the ground and 

 the points are then separated, and by repeating this a hole 

 is made, into which the eggs are introduced, passing out 

 between the guides. The egg hatches out into a little 

 grasshopper resembling the parent, but lacking wings. 



