NO. 1 6.] ORTHOPTERA OF CONNECTICUT. 5! 



blown over a considerable area. The Orthoptera are also at- 

 tacked by bacterial diseases, especially during long warm damp 

 periods. 



A great many locusts are attacked and killed by a red mite, 

 Trombidium locustarum Riley. This is often seen clinging to the 

 body of the locust, where it sucks out the vital juices. These 

 mites are often very numerous, one female sometimes produc- 

 ing three hundred or more eggs. The winter is passed in the 

 ground, where they are active except during freezing weather. 

 They feed upon a variety of soft substances, and are especially 

 fond of locust eggs. 



Another animal parasite that attacks various species of 

 Orthoptera is a " hair worm," a species of Gordius. 



The group also has a large number of insect enemies, among 

 which are tachina flies, flesh flies, larvae of blister beetles, and 

 carabid beetles. Toads, moles, shrews, and snakes feed upon 

 one or all stages of Orthoptera. 



Many species of birds include the insects of this order in their 

 diet. The average person has very little idea of the variety of 

 birds that feed upon insects, or the number of insects that some 

 of these birds eat. Many of the insect-eating birds feed largely 

 upon Orthoptera. 



