402 • B. p. UVAROV. 



vastator. Fieber and Fischer evidently described this species (under cruciatus) 

 together with crucigerus of Rambur, which is a quite distinct species ; and the 

 same mistake has been repeated even by Brunner, who says that maroccanus is a 

 very variable species, which is not the case. In fact, I had the opportunity of study- 

 ing many hundreds of specimens from different localities and may say that the 

 individual or geographical variability in this species is extremely small, and it is very 

 constant in all its characters. It can very easily be recognised by the aid of the key 

 given above. From its nearest relative, D. crucigerus, it may be distinguished by its long 

 elytra, short antennae and thickened (in males) fore femora, besides its different, 

 dimensions. It is interesting to mention that females during the period of oviposition 

 gradually change their coloration, which becomes dull clay-coloured, the black 

 markings turning to light brown. This coloration might be regarded as protective 

 while the female is sitting on the ground, but it is more lilcely to depend on physio- 

 logical causes. The coloration of the males changes in this period as well, but to- 

 a far less degree. 



Geographical Distribution. The range of distribution of the Moroccan locust 

 includes North Africa, Southern Europe, Syria, Palestine, Arabia, Mesopotamia^ 

 Asia Minor, Armenia, Persia and the Aralo-Caspian plains. Within this vast region 

 there are to be found several places where this species j&nds most favourable natural 

 conditions and where it becomes a serious pest of agriculture, breeding in large 

 masses and acquiring swarming habits.* 



2. Dociostaurus crucigerus (Eamb.). 



1838. Gryllus crucigerus, Eambur, Faune Entom. d'Andal., ii, p. 86, no. 13. 



1848. Oedipoda brevicollis, Eversmann, Addit. quaedam laevia ad Fisch. Wald. 



celeb. Orth. Ross,, p. 11, tab. A, fig. 4. 

 1853. Dociostaurus cruciata, Fieber, Lotos, iii, p. 118 (partim). 

 1853. Stauronotus cruciatus, Fischer, Orth. Europ., p. 352 (partim). 



1853. Stauronotus crucigerus, Fischer, l.c.y p. 356, no. 5. 



1854. Dociostaurus cruciata, Fieber, Syn. Europ. Orth, p. 18, no. 1 (partim). 



1859. Stauronotus cruciatus, Eversmann (nee Charp.), Bull. Soc. Nat. Moscow, 



xxxii (1), p. 137. 



1860. Stauronotus genei, Tlirk (nee Ocsk.), Wien. Ent. Mon., iv, p. 86, no. 3. 

 1862. Stauronotus annulipes, Tiirk, I.e. vi, p. 81. 



1867. Stauronotus brevicollis, Frivaldsky, Ertek Termesz. Kor., i (12), p. 162, no. 1, 



pi. 6, fig. 10. 

 1882. Stauronotus brevicollis, Brunner v. Wattenwyll, Prodromus Europ. Orth.,. 



pp. 136, 137, no. 2, pi. 5, fig. 30, A, B, 

 1910. Dociostaurus brevicollis, Kirby, Syn. Cat. Orth., iii, p. 153, no. 4. 



Rambur's description of Gryllus crucigerus leaves no doubt that he had before 

 him not D. maroccanus, Thunb. (known at that time as cruciatus, Charp.), but 

 another species distinguished by its smaller size, shorter elytra and with the lateral' 

 carinae of the pronotum present on the prozona as well as on the metazona — i.e, 



* The biology of D. maroccanus is fully described by W. La Baume in a recently 

 published book. ' . , U 



