ORTHOPTERA 



FAM. LOCUSTIM" 



INTRODUCTION - - SUBFAM. PROPHALANGOPSIN^E 



by A. N. CAUDELL 



WITH I COLOURED PLATE 



INTRODUCTION 



>V n 



ie Locustidse, the long-horned grasshoppers or katydids, is, next to the Acrididae, 

 or short-horned grasshoppers, the largest family of Orthoptera. The forms are extremely 

 diverse in structure and habit. A large majority of the members of this family are herb- 

 ivorous, but exceptions occur, some being carnivorous, while others are omnivorous. In 

 structure there is great variation, some forms being small wingless ant-like creatures, while others are 

 large long-winged insects often of grotesque shape. In most of the subfamilies comprising this family 

 the color is green, but many forms are brown, while others are yellow or variegated with various bright 

 colors, some even gorgeous in their color patterns. Some forms are mimetic, certain species resembling 

 dead leaves so closely that a keen eye is needed to detect them ; others resemble insects of different 

 orders, some mimicing certain Coleoptera and others looking very much like ants. Some of the Locus- 

 tidse also mimic in form other families of the Orthoptera. one subfamily for example bearing a very close 

 superficial resemblance to the Phasmidas, or walking-sticks. 



Most of the Locustidse live above ground, frequenting vegetation, tree, shrub or grass. Some, 

 however, are subterranean, living in caves or undei stones or burrowing in the earth. No species are 

 recorded as aquatic, though some frequent low swampy places 2). 



tj'Jhename Locustida? is wrongly used in this connection, but for tlie sake of uniformity with my fascicule of Genera Insectorum already 

 published, the Oecticinae, I use it. The short-horned grasshoppers will have to be called by the above title has the genus Lccusta pertains to that group. 

 The katydids are termed Phasgonurida: by Kirby, but as the Linnean genus Tettigonia has page precedence over Phasgonura, also Linnean. the 

 name Tettigonida; seems the proper name for the family. 



2) C. P. Engelhardt writes me that Orckelimitm volantum McNeill dives into the water when persued and hides under the leaves of water lilies. 



