GRASSHOPPERS AND CRICKETS 67 



Directly back of the head, there is a large capelike seg- 

 ment bearing a pair of legs. This is the first division of 

 the thorax, and is called the prothorax. The remainder 

 of the thorax is made up of two parts united. The one in 

 the middle is the mesothorax ; this bears the front wings 

 and the middle 

 legs. Behind this 

 is the metathorax ; 

 this bears the hind 

 wings and the hind 

 legs. 



The front wings 



Oblong I,eaf-winged Grasshopper 

 are long and slen- 

 der, and when at rest serve as a protective covering to the 

 hind wings. The latter are then folded in longitudinal 

 plaits like a fan. When the grasshopper is flying, the front 

 wings are extended at right angles to the body, and the 

 hind wings are stretched out. 



The abdomen is composed of a number of joints or seg- 

 ments, which move freely upon one another at their points 

 of contact. In female specimens the abdomen ends in 

 four-pointed projections by means of which the hole in the 

 ground for the eggs is made ; these form the ovipositor or 

 egg-depositor. 



Short-horned Locusts 



The common Grasshoppers or short-horned Locusts form 

 one of the most important families (Acridiidae). These 

 have short antennae or " feelers," short ovipositors, and but 

 three joints to the tarsi — the short joints at the ends of 

 the legs. They feed upon grasses and other forage crops, 

 and are often very destructive. In many of the males, 

 there is a sound-producing apparatus. 



