ORTHOPTERA. 299 
Their habits resemble those of the other herbivorous Orthoptera. 
They live in meadows, on trees, devouring the leaves and stalks 
of plants; but they are never found in such great numbers as 
} to cause damage at all to be compared to that caused by the 
Locust. They appear in the month of July and disappear at the 
_ beginning of the cold weather. Towards the end of the summer, 
=P = 
— 
their song is heard in the meadows and wheat fields. The females, 
| summoned by the males, are not long in coupling and laying their 
egos, which do not hatch until the following spring, in the ground. 
After four months they change into pups, which already show 
rudimentary wings, and which by a fifth month pass into the 
perfect state. 
The Great Green Grasshopper (Locusta viridissima) is very com- 
' mon in Kurope. It remains during the day on trees, and in 
the evening disports itself in the fields. 
od 
: 





Fig. 307.—Decticus verrucivorus. 
The Decticus verrucicorus (Fig. 307) is ashorter and more thick- 
set species, whose distinctive feature is a very broad head. Its 
colour is grey of various shades, and it is to be heard singing during 
| the day in fields of ripe wheat. The name comes from the use 
made of it by the peasants in Sweden and Germany as a cure 
for warts. 

