60 



NEW NORTH AMERICAN MELANOPLI (ORTHOPTERA) 



Measurements (in millimeters) of extremes 



& 



Length 



of 



body 



Length 

 of 



pro- 

 notum 



Width of 

 pronotal 



disk 

 cephalad 



Width of 

 pronotal 

 disk at 

 principal 

 sulcus 



Length 



of 

 caudal 

 femur 



Type 21 .4 4.2 2.8 3.4 11.7 



Paraty -pes, (85) 13 21-25 4-5 .... .... 11-12.5 



Big Bar, British Columbia, (4) 17-18.5 3.7-3.8 2.5-2.6 3.2-3.3 10.3-10.4 



9 



Allotype 24 4.8 3.8 4.8 13.4 



Paratopes, (78) 13 24-40 4.8-6 .... .... 12.5-15 



Big Bar, British Columbia, (2) 21.5-22.2 4.2-4.3 3.3-3.3 4.1-4.2 12.3-12.2 



The size reduction shown by the Big Bar specimens is probably attribut- 

 able to different local environmental conditions. 



General coloration of dorsal surface of males chestnut-brown, deepening to 

 shining blackish brown proximad on sides of abdomen, except ventrad toward 

 margins of tergites, where narrow invasions of the buffy color of the ventral 

 surface occur. Ventral surface light ochraceous-salmon, or antimony-yellow 

 with a salmon tinge. Frontal costa, face, genae and ventro-lateral portions 

 of pronotum and thorax buffy, darkened by very numerous dots and flecks of 

 dark brown. Cephalic and median limbs similar, but not as much darkened. 

 Pronotal lateral lobes with dorsal portion slightly darker and more shining 

 than disk, this weakly defined band continued on the sides of the thorax. 



Caudal femora buffy, with minute flecks and dots of dark brown, dorsal 

 and external faces with two broad bands of chestnut-brown, which are oblique 

 on the external pagina, the genicular areas also darkened. In many specimens 

 these portions are often greatly suffused, in some so dark that the bands have 

 become almost obsolete. Internal surface of caudal femora proximad and 

 ventro-internal surface distad vinaceous rufous or dragons blood red. Caudal 

 tibiae buffy, frequently strongly washed with mummy brown; spines and 

 spurs buff proximad, black distad. 



The females vary in general coloration from chestnut-brown to prout's 

 brown and are much more uniform, the darker bands of the body and caudal 

 femora being subobsolete or absent. In this sex the ventral surface of the 

 doby appears to be light brown, but is seen to be usually much discolored and 

 darkened in dried specimens. 



Mr. Buckell writes that this insect is " extremely common in 

 semi-sylvan locations, especially in upland pastures beneath the 

 aspens (Populus tremuloides) . In some places it is the common- 

 est grasshopper to be found." The species was found hatching 



13 These measurements were taken by Mr. Buckell, from the material before 

 drying. 



