54 SCHOOL ENTOMOLOGY 



when at rest on a twig or grass stem look so much like 

 the plant that they are very difficult to detect. They are 

 plant eaters, but rarely do much damage. 



The Mantis, or Praying Mantis has a long slender 

 thorax, an abdomen which becomes, when full of food, or 

 eggs, very much distended and broadly oval, but is at other 

 times rather slender, and short wings. It captures and 

 kills other insects. The front legs are fitted for grasping 

 the victims and the thorax is carried nearly erect with the 

 front feet in a " prayerful" attitude. This position gives 

 rise to the common name. Eggs of this insect are placed 

 in masses on twigs of trees and cemented together, the 

 masses being over a half inch long and about one-quarter 

 inch high. They are more frequently observed than the 

 eggs of most other Orthoptera as they are more conspic- 

 uous. 



TABLE FOR THE DETERMINATION OF THE FAMILIES OF 



ORTHOPTERA 



A. Legs fitted for jumping. 



B. Antennae shorter than the body. 



Grasshoppers. Acrididce. 



BB. Antennae longer than body. 



C. Wings carried, when at rest, in a vertical or roof- 

 shaped position. Ovipositors sword-shaped, curved 

 upward or straight. 



Katydids, etc. Locustidce. 



CC. Wings in a position approximately horizontal, flat 

 on the back. Ovipositors slender, spear-shaped. 



Crickets. On/Hides. 



AA. Legs not fitted for jumping. 



B. Bodies flattened and oval. Roaches. Blattidce. 



