igo INJURIOUS AND USEFUL INSECTS 



B. Saltatorial, the hind legs elongate, and formed for 

 leaping. 



3. Acridiidae (locusts and short-horned grasshoppers). 



Antennae short. Tarsus three-jointed. Ovipositor 

 of female short and concealed. 



4. Locustidae (long-horned grasshoppers). Antenna long. 



Tarsus four-jointed. Ovipositor of female usually 

 long and exposed. 



5. Gryllidse (crickets). Antennae long. Tarsus usually 



three-jointed. Ovipositor of female usually long and 

 exposed. 



RHYNCHOTA {Hemiptera) 



Structural peculiarities. — A. very peculiar proboscis is 

 almost universal in Rhynchota; it is found in the larva as 

 well as in the adult. The proboscis consists largely of a 

 flexible 3-4-jointed labium, which is grooved along its front 

 surface, and encloses slender piercing implements, the styles. 

 At the base of the proboscis is a spine-like piece (probably the 

 labrum), which overlaps the groove to a greater or less extent 

 in front, and helps to keep the styles in place. The styles 

 are four in number, and appear to answer to the mandibles 

 and anterior maxillae ; they are extremely fine, flexible, and 

 sharp ; the outer pair, or both pairs, are often barbed. There 

 is a sucking chamber within the head, which by its dilatation 

 draws fluids along the grooved labium into the mouth. Palps 

 are entirely wanting. The proboscis, when at rest, is laid 

 along the under surface of the body. When it is to be brought 

 into action, it projects vertically downwards. The styles are 

 then slid along the sheath (labium), and penetrate the object 

 of attack. The sheath gives useful support to the styles, and 

 also forms a split tube, capable, in all probability, of conduct- 

 ing liquids. By the mutual apposition of the styles, an inner 

 split tube is formed, which is just as effective for the passage 

 of liquids as a complete tube would be, perhaps more effective, 

 for the interval between the styles can be enlarged or narrowed 

 at pleasure. It is clear that the styles, independent of the 

 sheath, are capable of conducting liquids, for they can often be 

 seen to project far beyond the sheath while the insect is 



