No. 1 6.] ORTHOPTERA OF CONNECTICUT. 53 



antennae are long and slender. The pronotum is usually broader 

 than long, or shield-shape. The rings of the abdomen overlap 

 each other and are capable of being much depressed, so that these 

 insects can readily adapt themselves to the cracks and narrow 

 places in which they live. The legs are long, enabling the cock- 

 roach to run very swiftly. The wing covers contain many veins 

 and are parchment-like or leathery, overlapping when at rest. 

 The wings are never longer than the tegmina and are rudi- 

 mentary or even wanting in some species. 



Everyone is more or less familiar with the cockroach or 

 water-bug. Our troublesome species are introduced and infest 

 dwellings, delighting to live in the cracks and crevices in warm 

 damp places, such as are found around steam and water pipes, 

 back of sinks, etc. These insects are nocturnal in habit, coming 

 out at night and feeding upon a great variety of substances, 

 including all kinds of provisions, clothes that are starched, and 

 book bindings. In Connecticut we have taken three species that 

 commonly inhabit houses. Besides these there are probably 

 several native species that live under the loose bark of trees and 

 rubbish. Of these, however, only two species have been taken. 



Some of the tropical species are occasionally brought into 

 the state with fruit, especially bananas. Specimens of a large 

 brown species, probably Nyctobora mexlcana Sauss., have been 

 seen by the writer, and a specimen of a large, handsome green 

 species, Panchlora poeyi Sauss., has been taken by Dr. Britton 

 on bananas in New Haven. Leucophaea suriiiamensis Linn, has 

 been very abundant for several years in greenhouses at Cromwell. 



Key to Sub- families. 



Last ventral segment of the female plane, without a ridge, 

 and undivided. Fore femora rarely armed beneath on 

 the inner margin with many distinct spines ; when so 

 armed, the subgenital styles unequal or one wanting 



BLATTELLIN.E p. 54 



Last ventral segment of the female abdomen compressed so 

 that a ridge or carina is formed on its under side, and 

 divided so as to be bivalved. Fore femora armed 

 beneath on the inner margin with many spines ; styles 

 of equal length PERIPLANETIN^: p. 57 



