ORTHOPTERA 139 



rubbing together the specially modified wing covers. These grasshoppers 

 abound in our meadows everywhere. If you would know how perfect is 

 their protective resemblance, try to find one which you have seen on the 

 wing, after it has alighted. Some species found in caves are wingless, 

 colorless, and blind. Their antenna? and hind legs are developed to a great 

 length. 



The katy-dids, of which there are several genera, are rather large, usually 

 green insects. They live upon trees and shrubs, feeding upon foliage and 

 tender branches, though they sometimes eat animal food. Only the males 

 tell us " Katy did " or " she didn't." They usually " sing " at night from 

 July or August until frost. They are not gregarious. Their thin, finely 

 veined wings are almost indistinguishable in the foliage. 



Closely allied to the katy-dids, but looking more like crickets, are the 

 wingless grasshoppers, the cricket-like grasshoppers, and shield-backed 



Fig. 109. — Mole cricket {Gryllotal'paboria'lis). (Burmeister.) 



grasshoppers. They are dull colored and live under stones and rubbish 

 or loose soil. 



The crickets, of which there are few species, have the wing covers flat 

 and overlapping'above, and bent sharply down at the edge of the body like 

 a box cover. The antenna? are long and the ovipositor is spear shaped. 

 Thej^ include the mole crickets, true crickets, and tree crickets. 



Mole crickets (Fig. 109) are fitted for a burrowing life. The front tibiae 

 are broadened and shaped somewhat like the feet of a mole. They feed 

 upon the tender roots of plants, and .sometimes injure potatoes (Fig. 110). 



The (rue crickets, our familiar black species, live in houses or fields. 

 They usually feed upon plants, but some are predaceous. The eggs, laid 

 in the fall, usually in the ground, hatch in summer. Only a few of the 

 old crickets survive the winter. 



