FAMILY VII.—GRYLLIDAB.

265

and underside of body. In older examples this pubescencebecomes abraded, and the insect is then very glossy. Thewing-covers are as long or more or less shorter than thebody, and vary in color from ochraceous brown to pitchyblack. The hind wings are shorter, or as long, or extendconsiderably beyond the wing-covers, as tail-like projec-tions.

Length, 10 to 20 mm.; ovipositor, 12 to 15 mm.

This description includes a number of forms or varieties.G. luctuosus Serv. is the form with the hind wings project-ing like tails beyond the wing-covers;

G. neglectus Scudder is the form withthe wing-covers as long or shorterthan the abdomen in the female andas long as the abdomen in the male;

G. nigra Harris is the form with asomewhat shorter ovipositor. Thisinsect is not common in Minnesota .

Fig. 173 shows a female of Grylluspennsylvanicus. and Figs. 174 and175 both sexes of Gryllus assimilis.

No doubt other species occur inour fauna, but they have not as yetbeen studied. Many of the immaturecrickets hibernate under stones andother shelters; if they are placed to-gether in a box they speedily fight n J Ju amcU! ” female ’ orlgi ‘and the weaker ones are eaten.

There is, however, an European species that is gettingtoo common in some houses, so that complaints are madeabout it by tenants. This is the European House-Cricket,or “Cricket of the hearth.”

Fig:. 173 —Gryllus penn