SEXUAL HABITS OF LOCUSTS. 221 



Eucoptolophns sordida, Burm. — Mature insects first noticed September 19. Eggs depos- 

 ited September 24. 



E. costalis, Scudd.—Mature insects first noticed September 20. Eggs laid Septem- 

 ber 24. 



Acridium americanum (Dniry.)-Mature insects captured June 14. Eggs deposited June 

 24. 



SEXUAL HABITS. 



There are various questions comiug under this head that have a scien- 

 tific bearing, but do not materially concern the farmer. We shall treat 

 them very briefly. The love-season may be said to commence just as 

 soonas all the parts of the full- winged individuals have become hardened 

 and perfected and to endure till near death. Nevertheless, the most 

 active and ardent period occurs during the first two or three weeks 

 after maturity, and it is during this period, also, that the migrating in- 

 stinct is most developed. Every one who has closely observed these 

 insects is aware that they are salacious in habit. We have often noticed 

 (in Caloptenus differentialis, C. femur -ruhrum, and C. atlanis) a pair in 

 our vivaria that were in copula at evening still together the following 

 morning, and in some instances till toward noon, thus showing that 

 coition may last from 12 to 18 hours. It also ordinarily takes place in 

 a very few days after maturity. The following notes by Mr. Packard 

 bear on this point : 



Salem, Mass., July 31. — A couple of C. diviitatus found in copula was put in confine- 

 ment, and remained united from 10.45 a. m. until 5.30 p. m., when I went away. The 

 next morning at 8.30 they were separate. 



On the same day two pairs were taken in copula and thus remained in confinement 

 from 11.45 a. m. until 5.30 p. m., when I went away. 



Another pair remained in confinement in copula from 10.30 till 1 p. m. 



The female frequently moves about and feeds during the act, but the 

 male, which either rides upon her or hangs more or less at the side, 

 remains motionless unless at the approach of another male, when he 

 moves the hind legs and goes through the fiddling process. We have 

 known the males to perish in the act, and late in the season, when the 

 last locusts were overtaken by a severe frost or snow-storm which de- 

 stroyed them, we have seen many of them perish in pairs. 



That coition is frequently repeated there can also be no doubt, as this 

 is the general experience regarding European species; and we have 

 known females which had already oviposited to receive the male again. 

 It is also quite common for the male to wait on the female while she is 

 in the act of ovipositing. That the locusts are polyandrous there can be 

 just as little doubt; for though actual observation is wanting, it is not 

 uncommon to find the same female attended by other males, even while 

 yet coupled. Korte, who made very careful observations on the Euro- 

 pean migratoria in confinement, records ^^ that one female coupled, be- 

 tween August 26 and September 11, with six different males, and laid 



3' Die Strich-, Zug-, oder Wanderheushrecke, Yom Eie an beobacMet. Berlin, 18:39. 



