434 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Gryllotalpa borealis. Burmeister. 



The Common Mole-Cricket. (Fig. 6.) 



Length, one inch and one-fourth. 



Color, dark cinnamon brown, and covered 

 with very fine short hairs. Wing covers less 

 than half the length of the abdomen, the 

 wings, when folded, extending only about an 

 eighth of an inch beyond them. 



"Sides of ponds, burrowing in moist earth." 

 This species occurs very generally east of the 

 Rocky Mountains. 



Gryllotalpa COLUMBIA. Scudder. 



This species does not differ in any respect 

 from Q. borealis, as stated by Mr. Scudder, 

 save in the larger size, and comparatively 

 greater breadth of the wing covers, which 

 cover rather more than half of the abdomen, and in the much 

 gi'eater length of the wings, which extend considerably beyond 

 the extremity of the abdomen. 



This species has been taken in Massachusetts, Maryland and 

 Washington, D. C. 



The mole-crickets have often done great damage in Eiu'ope, 

 where they burrow under the turf in moist gardens and meadows, 

 and feed on the tender roots of many kinds of plants. They are 

 also said to feed on other insects and worms, so that they are 

 undoubtedly omnivorous in their habits. 



Genus Gryllus. Linneus (1758). 

 Crickets. 



Stout-bodied insects. Head large and globose ; eyes large and 

 rounded ; three ocelli present, the middle one between the anten- 

 n;e, and elongated transversely. Antennae as long or longer than 

 the body, and gradually tapering towards the end. Last joint of 

 maxillary palpi but little, if any, longer than the one before it. 

 Pronotura of the same width as the head. 



Feet stout, and slightly lengthened. Femora compressed ; hind 

 femora much enlarged, even to the end. Fore tibiae with a large 

 oval drum on the outside, and a smaller, round drum on the oppo- 

 site side (auditory sacs). Hind tibiaa with a double row of 

 from four to seven spines. Tarsi slender and elongated ; a 



