Cockroaches Family 2. Blattidx.
Devil's-horses Family 3. Manficke.
Walking-sticks Family 4. PhasmicIce.
Family 5. Acrididoe, Grasshoppers Family 6. Locustida.
Crickets Family 7. Gry As will be seen from this list, there is no con fusion between the scientific and common names until we reach grasshoppers, among which our insect belongs. Other names, it is true, are some times applied to insects of the previous families, but with the exception of earwig they corre spond in their application with the family limits as here given. As before stated, the term grass hopper is applied to insects of two families— Acrididce and Locustidce ; but notwithstanding this difficulty in using the popular name the insects which compose the family are easily dis tinguished from each other by prominent char acters. Locusticke includes those species usually found on the grass, hushes, and trees, which have very long thread-like antenn, generally longer than the body of the insect; the tarsi or feet are four jointed; the female is furnished at the tip of the abdomen with an exserted ovipos itor, usually more or less curved and sword shaped; and the upper wings of the male axe furnished, at the base, with a peculiar arrange ment of the nerves, with which, by rubbing them together, they produce sharp, shrill notes. To this family belong true grasshoppers, katydids, and similar insects; and there are other species which strongly resemble and are usually called crickets that belong to this family. Acrididce, includes those species which usually reside on. the ground, and are distinguished from those of the other families of saltatorial orthoptera by the following characters: The antenn are com paratively short, never exceeding the body in length, and in North American species composed of from twelve to twenty-five joints; the tarsi are apparently three-jointed; the females are fur nished at the tip of the abdomen with four short corneous pieces, two of which curve upward and two downward; the male is without the shrilling organ at the base of the wings found in the Loeustidce. This family contains the true locust, such as those of oriental countries and the Rocky Mountain Locust; also such so-called grasshop pers as the common red-legged species of the States and those found hopping on the ground in open waste fields, along roadsides, etc. There fore, in speaking hereafter of these species, we shall use the term locust. As the family con tains a very large number of species varying considerably in form and character, entomolo gists have endeavored to divide it into sections or subfamilies, by bringing together those minor groups having certain characters in common. The various results of these attempts can not be introduced here, as this would not only require too much space, but also the introduction of matter of purely scientific interest, and of no practical use in this brief review of the classifica tion. These subdivisions vary in number according to the characters selected by the dif ferent authors, some making as many as eleven subfamilies, others only two or three. Yet, as a general rule, the difference is not so much in the grouping as in the value attached to the groups, the sub-families of one author being considered as subordinate divisions by other authors. Without undertaking at this timc to decide upon the respective merits of these several arrangements, we have selected for present pur poses that which makes but three subfamilies, as it appears to be the simplest and most easily understood by general readers. In our descrip tions of these subdivisions we shall confine our selves to those represented in the orthopteral fauna of that portion of North America north of Mexico, and so far as possible select such char acters only as are necessary to distinguish these divisions from each other. The first subfamily, Proscoptnce, contains only exotic species, and may therefore be omitted from further consideration. The second subfamily, Aerie:11'nm, is distinguished by having the pronotum in the form of a shield, which covers the prothorax and extends back ward at farthest only a short distance upon the base of the abdomen, never reaching more than half way to the tip, and seldom half this dis tance ; the prosternum or front breast is drawn up, that is, it is not in the same•plane as the rest of the sternum or breast ; it is spined, tubercled, or smooth, but never advanced upon the mouth in the form of a muffler; elytra or upper wings, when present, always as long as the wings; tarsi with pads between the claws. The third sub family, Tettigina, is characterized by having the pronotum, in the form of a shield, extending 'backward nearly or quite to the tip of the abdo men, and sometimes even beyond it; the pro sternum in the same plane as the rest of the sternum, and advanced upon the mouth in the form of a muffler; elytra when present usually shorter than the wings, and placed at the sides of the body ; tarsi without pads between the claws. The two latter families are represented in the United States, but the great body of our locusts belong to the Acridince, the species of Tettigince being comparatively few, quite small, and seldom noticed by unscientific observers. As the Caloptenus spretus and all other migratory locusts belong to Acridince, we shall lirnit our further consideration to this subfamily. It con tains several subordinate groups, but the char acters by which these are distinguished from each other are not so apparent and uniform as are those separating the various sub-families. Although at least one species of Oedipodini is migratory in the Old World, and a species in North America (Camnula peaucida, Scudd.) be longing to the same group was formerly supposed to be the migratory locust of California, yet at present our observations are confined to Acridini, 'which contains the destructive locust of the West. This limits us to those species found in the United States which have the head more or less subglobular or ovoid, and the front breast armed with a spine. The latter character is easily recognized by any one, as the spine may be seen by examining the under side of the neck; it usually stands out like a little blunt thorn, very distinct. If this is wanting, the observer may know without further ohservation that his speci men does not belong to the migratory species of our country. If it has the spine, and the head is not conical or pyramidal, then he must refer to the characters hereafter given of the genera and species. We have now reached the genera, which can not be fully discussed at present, as this would require, if properly done, a revision of the Calopteni and Pezotettigi, and an examina tion of all our native species. We will, therefore, simply mention the more important genera of the group represented in the United States, calling attention to a few of the more prominent charac ters by which Caloptenus is separated from those genera most closely allied to it. We will also make use of localities, habits, etc., wherever they will assist the general reader in any way in de termining whether or not a given specimen be longs to Caloptenus. The following genera of Acridzi which are mentioned by North American authors may be omitted from further considera tion for the reasons given below : Tropidocris, Dictyophorus, Rhomaiea, Ommatolannpis, Ptaty phyma, Dactylotum, and Chramacris. The first contains only gigantic species, and if represented at all in the United States, it is only by a single species occasionally found along the southwest ern border of Texas. Rhamalea may be consid ered as a synonym of Dictyaphorus, which is represented by but two subtropical species, which are large, with brightly colored under-wings, chiefly red; while those of our Calopteni are trans. parent. Ommatolampis has been superseded by Mr. Scudder's genus Hesperotettix. Platyphyma and Chromacris have probably been introduced by mistake. Dactylotum has been introduced into our nomenclature for the reception of a very short-winged and brightly-colored species—Pao tettiv pi,cta Thos. This leaves only the following genera as necessary to be considered : Acridium, Caloptenus, Hesperotettix, and Pezotettix As Hes perotettix contains, so far as we are aware, but three species, easily distinguished from Caloptenus spretus by the following characters and facts it may be also excluded : One is short-winged, green, and found only in the Eastern Middle States; another somewhat common in the West is green, with reddish bands around the femora ; the other has so far been found only in Arizona; it is yel low, thickly dotted over with black, and the an tennm annulated with alternate colors. There is a difference of opinion in reference to the char acters of the genera Caloptenus and Pezotettix; Professor Stal, of Sweden, maintaining that if properly limited Caloptenus does not embrace any of our species. He places C. and consequently the closely allied species, in Pezotet tix Without attempting to discuss the question so far as it relates to the proper characters, we have concluded, for reasons which will be men tioned further on, to retain the name Caloptenus and to use the genus in the sense understood by American and most European authors. Although the chief distinction between this genus and Pezotettix, as adopted in this country, the differ ence in the length of the wings, can not be con sidered satisfactory, yet, as it will answer present purposes, we will avail ourselves of it in order to eliminate the group from consideration. Acri
divm, so far as represented in the United States, may be characterized as follows, : Vertex but slightly inclined, angularly expanded in front of the eyes; antenna] grooves profound and extend ing downward to the clypeus; eyes elongate elliptical. Pronotum somewhat compressed on the sides, depth usually considerably more than the width, moderately but distinctly expanding behind the last sulcus (very slightly in rubigin osum); lateral carinte obsolete ou the anterior lobes, the sides rounding up somewhat RS the sides of an arch to the median carina; the dorsum of the posterior lobe more flattened, with the lateral carinm subdistinct ; the lower margin of the lateral lobes straight, the posterior lateral angle slightly obtuse, varying from about 100° to 110° ; posterior margin obtuse-angled and rounded at the tip. Elytra and wings, with one excep tion, considerably longer than the abdomen, and iu the exception pass it slightly. Abdomen elon gate, rather slender; that of the male not en larged at the tip; the last segment of the male subconical and distinctly uotched at the tip, usu ally with a square notch ; cerci of the male flat, usually broad, oblong, and straight. Prosternal spine, robust, subcylindrical, blunt, and approxi mating the margin mesosternum. The spines of the posterior tibite always have at least the basal portion pale, either yellowish or white, even when the tibite are black. Posterior femora long, reaching to the tip of the abdomen, mod erately robust, the outer face flat. The species, with one exception, are large, the females exceeding two inches in length, the exception, rubiginosum, is rare in the West, and so far has not been found west of the Mississippi. We have omitted A. frontons (Thos.), as it does not properly belong to this genus, having been placed here by the author provisionally. As it is green, there is no danger of its being con founded with C. spretus. To this genus belongs A. Anzerieunum, a. large reddish-brown species, marked on the outer wings with cellular quad rate fuscous spots, which often does considera ble injury to crops in the sections south of the latitude of St. Louis, which is nearly its northern limit. In 1875 and 1876, and even in 1877, it was seen migrating in considerable nuinbers, causing much alarm, as those who saw them supposed they were veritable Rocky Mountain locusts. Such flights were observed in sontheast Indiana, southwest Ohio, South ern Illinois, and Georgia. These flights are very limited in extent, reaching at farthest but a mile or two. Their large size, coloring, generic char acters, and southern habitats will readily dis tinguish them from the C. spretus. We may remark here that one of the most destructive migatory species of southwestern Isla and northern A.frica (Acridium peregrinunz) is not only congeneric with this species, but so closely resembles it that ordinary observation would scarcely detect the differences between the two. As before stated, the characters by which the genus Pe2otettly is distinguished are not satis factory, and undoubtedly require revision, but in this country the abbreviation or want of wings has generally been adopted as a leading character, which, whether well chosen or not, is sufficient to distinguish its species from C spre ins, which answers our present purpose. This limits us to the genus Caloptenus, and the species belonging to it which are found north of Mexico. The character of Ca/optenus and Pezotettlr, as given by H. Fischer, (Orthoptera Europea, 1853) were evidently intended to embrace only European species, and although we infer from his remarks that he would include our species of Calopteni in the former genus, yet the char acters render it very doubtful where they would fall. Therefore, while we admit that the group stood sadly in need of revision at the time Stal entered upon the work, yet we do not think the facts warrant him in dropping the generic name Ccdoptenus, or in removing femitr-rubrum there from, hence we can not follow him in this change. This is, perhaps, not a proper place to discus.s a question of this kind, but we have con sidered it necessary to say this much in .expla nation of our reasons for differing, with so dis tinguished an entomologist, in his special field, as Dr. Stal. Under the circumstances it is per haps best that we should define the genus as we understand it, or at least give the characters which the North American species have in com mon, which wa include in Caloptenus. In this coninctiem the editor would say, that for the reasons given above, and also as a means of perfect identification not only by the scientific but the general observer as well, we append the full description, which is as follows: Calopterms, general character, bead aubglohnlar, front vertical. or nearly so. Eyea ovoid, eometimea almost suborbicular, but usually tbe length ia to the breadth aa three to two, and the front side is more or less straight ened; uenally the upper cantttns is more or less angular, but sometimes it is rounded so as to obliterate the angle; generally rounder and more prominent in the male than in the female: separated above by a little leaa than their width? Vertex narrow between the ayes, tbe width at thia point being a little leaa than the width of the eye; usually though not always auleate, the suleus or groove shallow; expanding slightly, abruptly. and angularly immediately in front of the eyes; deflexed (15° to 40°), and generally rounded in front. Frontal coats usually quite prominent, about aa broad aa the ver tex between the eyes; t.idee parallel ; flat, or shallowly sulcate, reaching to or nearly to the elypeus. Pronotum aubquadrate, tbat is to say, a cross section (in the middle) will present a quadrate figure or parallelogram with the upper cornera slightly rounded: the sidea are nearly per pendicular; the disk or dorsal surface la very nearly fiat, with a little thread-like, median carina, tumidly nistinet on the posterior lobe, but sometimea oblitemted on the middle and anterior lobes; the lateral carinte are obtuae, but distinctly marked as tbe angle where the disk and aides meet; on the posterior lobe they sometimea appear as trn e canine, though not prominent or sharp; the lower margin of the sides ia nearly atraight, sometimes project ing a little in the middle, where the triangular piece con nects: the posterior lateral margin varies somewhat; in some species it terms a distioct entering angle at the shoulder or lateral canna, in others it continues to the tip in an almost straight line; the three transveree incisions are distinct and situated close together, the posterior one being a little behind the middle and always cutting the middle carina; all three aever the lateral carime, but the anterior one enda at the upper margin of tbe aides with a alight and ahort chrve forward; the posterior and middle onea extend down the sidea well toward the lower margin, and moat generally about midway down the poaterior Bends out at right anglea a branch aulcua which often croaaes the intermediate apace to the middle one; there ie •.4 also a fourth sulcus extending down the aides cloae to the anterior margin ; the poaterior stiletto and usually the middle one make a short curve forward immediately at the median carina; theposterior margin is obtuse-angled, rounded at the tip; the posterior lobe is usually finely punctured, while the middle and anterior lobes have a velvety or felty appearance. The elytra and wings extend to or beyond tie-tip of the abdomen the former are nar row (except in C. trivittatuti); the latter tranaparent in all our apeciea; vometimes a very light greenish-yellow or a bluish tinge la observed, the nerves usually more or leaa dark. The abdomen is uaually aubcylindrical, presenting no distinct keel above; that of the male enlarged at the ti o and curved upward; the cerci are usually flat, rounded at the tip, and curved up bnt aome are etraight and othera tapering. The last abdominal segment, which curves upward like the prow of a boat, la sometimes truncate above, sometimes with a slight angular notch. Posterior femora robust, much enlarged near the base, the external face more or less convex, in the female never longer and generally aborter than the abdomen; in the male the reverse is the rale. Pada between the clawa large, reach ing a maximum aize in some of the apeclea. Moat of our epeciea have the upper portion of the inner face of the poeterior thighs marked with three obliQue dark bands (the one at the base often indistinct). There ia gener ally a dark stripe on the aide running back from the eye to the last tranaverse sulcus of the pronotum, it is often interrupted, broken, or partially obliterated, hot is sel dom wholly wanting in those species any way closely allied to C. t.pretus or C. ftinur-rubrum. The ant enme are filiform and slender, reaching their maximum length in the male of C. differential* where they sometimes attain the middle of the body. The prostemal spine ia usually stout and conical, quadrangular at the base, and generally slightly transverse; in one or two peens it approximates the mesoaternum, but thia ia not usual. Our apeciea vary in length from Mx-tenths to two and a half inches.