ORTHOPTERA. 121 



easily recognized by the accompanying figure, which represents the 

 insect natural size. They make burrows in moist places from six to 

 eight inches below the surface of the ground, and 

 feed upon the tender roots of various plants. 

 In Europe, where mole-crickets are more abun- 

 dant, they are frequently serious pests in culti- 

 vated fields ; and in the West Indies there is a 

 species which is very destructive to sugar-cane. 

 The species of Triddctylus resemble Gryllotalpa 

 somewhat in form, but are very much smaller; 

 our species are all less than 10 mm. (0.4 inch) in 

 length. They also resemble the large mole- 

 crickets in habits, burrowing in similar places. 

 But they differ in having their hind legs formed 

 for leaping, and are able to jump as well as the 

 true crickets. At Ithaca we find Tridactylus 

 very local in its distribution. A large number 

 of specimens have been taken from a small Fic - 

 spot on the margin of one of our streams, but 

 a most careful search has failed to reveal its presence elsewhere in 

 our region. 



The True Crickets. The true crickets abound everywhere, in 

 pastures, meadows, and gardens ; and certain species enter our 

 dwellings. They are chiefly solitary, nocturnal insects ; yet many 

 can be seen in the fields in the daytime. They usually feed upon 

 plants, but are sometimes predaceous. The eggs are laid in the 

 autumn, usually in the ground, and arc hatched in the following 

 summer. The greater part of the old crickets die on the approach 

 of winter; but a few survive the cold season. The greater part 

 of the species of our true crickets are included in the two ge: 

 Grjtllus and Nemobius. To the former genus belongs our la- 



spec 'I* he two larger of our 



species are Gryllus lucttwstts ami 

 Gryllus abbn-riii: The 



species of the genus Nemobiu^ 

 much smaller than Gryllus. an<; 

 Characterized by the greater K ; 

 FIG. v*a.-Gr?//m* abbrevint**. o f t | lc j ast segment of tlu maxillary 



palpi. The most common sp< 



and one that is very abundant in our fields during the latter \ 

 of summer and autumn, is Nemobius -itttitus. 



