The forefeet of the changa are powerful and remarkably adapted 

 for digging, the joints of the foretibia? and tarsi being so articulated 

 as to form a sharp, curved, shearing apparatus. The hard, rounded 

 prothoracic shield is well suited for shaping the sides of the tunnel 

 by rotary movements as digging progresses and for firming the soil 

 in the newly made galleries. 



Although clumsy, owing to the weight of its specialized forelegs, 

 the changa is a rapid runner, even on the surface of the ground, 

 where it often accelerates its gait by short hops. In its underground 

 galleries it is a very rapid traveler, moving forward or backward 

 with equal ease. Changas of the first three stages are very active, 

 hopping many times their own length and running with great 

 agility. The saltatory power is lost in the later instars, as the fore- 

 legs become heavier, and in leaping, the insect often somersaults in 

 midair. The adult is also a heavy, clumsy flier and after performing 

 long swoops lands heavily. Migrating individuals have been re- 

 corded (54, p. 256) as soaring over tree tops, and such migration to 

 the distance of a few miles is considered probable. Flight during 

 daylight hours has not been observed in Porto Rico, but is recorded 

 from Georgia (54, p. 262). The adults not uncommonly fly into 

 lighted houses dur^g the early evening, from dusk on, especially on 

 damp, cloudy nights. 



FEEDING HABITS AND FOOD PLANTS. 



The changa feeds primarily on vegetables, animal food seeming to 

 form only a small part of its diet. Almost any young plant growth 

 is attacked. The insect remains underground and feeds from below, 

 commonly selecting the crown of the plant as the point of attack. 

 When the growth is very tender the insect consumes almost the entire 

 sprout, pulling it into the soil while feeding until only the top leaves 

 are left above ground. Sometimes the seedling is partially gnawed 

 through at its base. Tender roots also are often eaten. 



Of the staple crops, tobacco is the most seriously damaged. Owing 

 to the use of the Paris green and flour mixture, the changa is not 

 now so important a pest of this crop as it once was. Practically all 

 the grasses serve as food for the mole cricket, "grama" (Paspalum 

 sp.) and " yerba dulce " (Eleusine indica) being its favorites among 

 the common wild species. When sugar cane is planted on loose or 

 sandy soils the changa sometimes causes great damage to this crop. 

 Its injury to the young canes often makes necessary a considerable 

 amount of replanting before a stand can be obtained. The injury 

 to cane is confined to the germinating seed and to the bases of the 

 young shoots, which are partially gnawed through. The boring into 

 13110 18 2 



