17 
female. Frequently there arc Two. and in extreme cases perhaps even 
three, of these clusters deposited by ;i single female. 
The range of this insect is not so extended as that of the Two-striped 
Locust, but nevertheless it is quite general west of the Allegheny Moun- 
tains and south of the forty-third degree of north latitude. It is common 
in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and is met with 
more or less frequently in southeastern Colorado, Indian Territory, 
New Mexico. Texas, Arizona, and California. In Kansas and Nebraska 
we often find black or nearly black specimens, while in California many 
of the insects of this species have the hind tibia^ bright coral red. Aside 
from these color variations the species is very true to its typical char- 
acters. 
THE ROBUST LOCUST. 
Melanoplus robustus Scudd.) 
Next to Melanoplus differential is and very similar to it in general ap- 
pearance and size is the large yellowish-brown and gray locust that is 
known by the name of Melanoplus 
robustus. This insect appears to be 
of rather local distribution since it 
occurs only in Texas, so far as I am 
at present aware. It was this insect 
that was chiefly concerned in the 
injuries wrought in central Texas 
during the years 188o and 1886. and 
upon which I reported in Bulletin 
Xo. 13 of the Division .of Entomol- 
ogy. 
The habits of this locust are given 
in that paper, and are briefly as fol- 
lows: 
"While the Rocky Mountain or 
Migratory Locust prefers rather 
solid soil upon somewhat elevated 
open fields and closely grazed pas- 
tures for depositing its eggs, all of 
these species now infesting central Texas appear to find more suitable 
conditions among rank herbage tor the deposition of their eggs and 
subsequent development of the young larvae. The large species espe- 
cially finds the protected roots of grasses and corn best adapted t<> the 
sheltering of its eggs, and almost invariably selects the varieties which 
grow in chimps for this purpose. In digging 1 have found as inan\ as 
8 or 10 egg-pods inserted among the poof stalks of a single clump ot 
grass. Possibly the sheltered nature <>t' these eggs protects them from 
the numerous parasites which attack those of the Migratory Locust 
and other species which deposit in open or unprotected mound, li is 
10006— No. 28 2 
Kir,. 6. — Melantqthi* robuttut- natural size 
(original). 
