Staten Island Grouse Locusts 1 



By William T. Davis 



In the list of Orthoptera found on Staten Island, printed in 

 Entomologica Americana in April, 1889, six species of grouse 

 locusts are mentioned. Since that time considerable advance has 

 been made in the study of these grasshoppers, and we are now 

 able to report thirteen species or forms as having been found 

 on the island. 



In Psyche 15: 25. Ap., 1908, Prof. A. P. Morse gives an 

 account of a small collection of grouse locusts sent to him for 

 examination, and he there describes a new species taken on Staten 

 Island and in New Jersey. To Prof. Morse we are also indebted 

 for determinations and for passing on those already made. 



About one hundred specimens have been collected on the island, 

 which is practically all that have been seen. An examination of 

 them gives rise to some uncertainties, and one is moved to acquit 

 orthopterists from all blame in holding diverse opinions concern- 

 ing these variable little grasshoppers. 



Grouse locusts survive the winter as mature insects, and are 

 therefore most noticeable in the fall and spring. They are pre- 

 served from their enemies by being protectively colored, but this 

 does not prevent their destruction by forest fires. A great many 

 must thus be destroyed annually, and probably it would be diffi- 

 cult to find again on our island all the species or forms here 

 mentioned. 



Nomotettix cristatus Scudd. April, May, June, August, Sep- 

 tember, October. 



Nomotettix carinatus Scudd. Two specimens of this long- 

 winged form have been collected on the island. 



Neotettix femoratus Scudd. June, August. 



Tettix granulatus Kirby. April, October. 



1 Presented December 19, 1908. 



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