MOLE-CRICKET. 



369 



covering the wings ; abdomen with two caudal processes. 

 Fore-legs sturdy, resembling hands, used for burrowing, like 

 those of the mole. The larva and nijmpJi greatly resemble 

 the perfect insect in form and colour, but have the wings 

 undeveloped. ^^ 



b. Life-Jiistory. 



Pairing takes place under- 

 ground, from the beginning 

 of June till the middle of 

 July. 



The ? during the month 

 of June lays 150 to 250 

 pale yellowish eggs, as 

 large as hempseed, in a 

 hole of the size of a hen's 

 egg, and about 10 to 12 cm. 

 below the surface of the 

 ground, with which it 

 communicates by a tunnel 

 or shaft, with a circular 

 section. 



The earth above and 

 around the hole is rendered 

 more compact by the saliva 

 of the $ . The ? watches 

 the nest carefully, and when 

 disturbed returns to it by 

 the tunnel. 



The young larvae appear after 2 to 3 weeks, and remain 3 to 4 

 weeks in the nest ; they then begin to burrow in the ground, 

 moult 3 times before October or November, and then hibernate 

 in the ground. 



The nymph-stage takes place at the end of May or 

 beginning of June with the fourth moulting, the nymph 

 being active and feeding; with the last moult, instead of 

 the little lappets which represent the wings in the nymph, 

 4 true wings appear, and the form of the perfect insect is 

 assumed. 



The mole-cricket, GnjUotnlpa 

 nih/aris, L. 



Perfect insect. 



h and 



sta_^es. 



Larvae in early 



