IIO 



AN INTRODUCTION TO ENTOMOLOGY. 



three large volumes regarding this insect. The student is referred 

 to them for a detailed account of it. 



The Lesser Locust, Meldnoplus atldntis. This is a common 

 species, which is very closely allied to the Rocky Mountain Locust. 

 It can be distinguished, however, by its smaller size, as indicated 

 above, and by its shorter wings. The specific name is an inappro- 

 priate one ; for the species occurs, throughout at least the northern 

 part of our country, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. 



The Red-legged Locust, Meldnoplus femur-rubrum. This is the 

 most familiar member of the family Acridiidae throughout the 

 United States, except where M. spretus occurs. It is more abundant 



than any other locust east of the Missis- 

 sippi ; it is this and the preceding species, 

 which is usually confounded with it, that 

 ravage our meadows and pastures more 

 than all other species combined. The 

 female is represented natural size by Fig. 



9 8. 



Meldnoplus femoratus. This species also extends from the 



FIG. 98. Melanoplus femur-ru- 

 brunt. 



FIG. 99. M. femoratus. (From Riley.) 



Atlantic to the Pacific. It is the largest representative of the genus 

 that occurs in the Eastern States. It is marked with a yellowish 

 stripe, extending along each side from the upper angle of the eye to 

 the tip of the elytra (Fig. 99). The length of the body to the tip 



FIG. zoo. M. dijtferentialis. (From Riley.) 



of the abdomen varies from 25 mm. (i inch) to 40 mm. (1.6 inches). 

 This species has been confounded in most of our works on Ento- 



