HO THE STUDY OF INSECTS. 



In this case each wing-cover serves as a fiddle, and each hind- 

 leg as a fiddle-bow. Second, other species rub together the 

 upper surface of the front edge of the hind-wings and the 

 under surface of the wing-covers. This is done while the 

 locust is flying, and the result is a crackling sound. 



There are very many species of locusts in the United 

 States. We have space to refer to only a few here. 



The most familiar member of the family is the Red- 

 legged Locust, Melanoplus femur-rubrum (Me-lan'o-plus) 



(Fig. 120). It is more abun. 

 dant than any other species 

 throughout the United States, 

 except in the high dry lands 

 of the central part of the 



Mountain Locust, Melanoplus spretus, abounds. This spe- 

 cies closely resembles the red-legged locust, except that it 

 has longer wings. It is this insect that sometimes migrates 

 into the lower and more fertile regions of the Mississippi 

 Valley and does such great damage. It will be remembered 

 that at one time it almost produced a famine in Kansas and 

 the neighboring States. Fortunately the young of this 

 insect hatched in the low regions are not healthy, and die 

 before reaching maturity. Consequently the plagues caused 

 by the emigration of this insect are of short duration. There 

 are several other species of Melanoplus common in this 

 country, but they can be distinguished only by very careful 

 study. 



The Clouded Locust, Rncoptolophus sordidiis (En-cop-tol'- 

 o-phus sor'di-dus) (Fig. 121), is very common in the Eastern 

 United States during the 

 autumn. It abounds in 

 meadows and pastures, and 

 attracts attention by the 

 crackling sound made by 



the males during flight. Its FlG - .-Ecott*iopku* 

 color is dirty brown, mottled with darker spots. 



