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Psyche 8:292-295, 1897.
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292 PSYCHE. [December 1898.
writer found another specimen six miles
west of Lawrence in a strawberry patch
on a high hill overlooking Lake View.
In a letter upon this subject, Mr. S.
H. Scudder gives references to the cap-
ture of Dissosteira longipeanis, in Texas ' (Boll), in Nebraska, entire state "
(Bruner) , in extreme western Kansas
(Osborn) , Barber Co., Kansas (Bruner).
He says farther: " I have 34 refer-
ences to it in literature, but in none do I find a reference to its capture as far east as Lawrence," and thinks it improb- able that it has been reported as taken
this far east.
These notes are given in evidence of
what may be considered an eastward
tendency in the geographical range of
this insect.
NOTES ON NEW ENGLAND ACRIDIIDAE, IV, -ACRIDIINAE. -V. BY ALBERT P. MORSE, WELLESLEY, MASS.
41. Melanoplus extremus Walk.
Figs. 41, a.
Caloptenus extremus. Walker, Cat.
Dermapt. Salt. Brit. Mus., IV, 681,
(18701.; Thomas, Syn. Acrid., 225.
Meluċ´~~opZu junius.
Morse, List, I 06.
'' extremus. Scudder, Rev.
Melanopli, 287, pi. xviii, fig. 10.
Measurements from 62 8, 8s <? :-
Antenna : 8, 7.5-9 ; 9, 6-8. H. fern.:
8, 9.4-11.2; 9, 10-12.6. Teg.: 8,
9.5-16 ; 2 , 10-18. Body: 8, 15-19 ;
9, 15.5-24. Total: 3, 15-22 ; ?,
16-24.
Teg. vs. H. fern. : 8, -3 to + 3 ;
?, -4 to + 3.
A very variable species.
In the fresh
state its general coloring - a peculiar
olive with blackish markings - is very
appreciable and of
service in recogni-
zing it, though the long-winged female
is liable to be mistaken for femur-ru-
brunt. While tegmina of every length
between the extremes given are to be
found, most of the specimens observed
fall into two series, a short- and a long- winged. In the former the tegmina
usually fall about 2 mm. short of the
end of the hind femora;
in the latter
pass them by a or 3 mm. ; -the names
junius and scandens respectively have
been applied to these by Scudder. Of
the specimens now in my collection (a
number having been disposed of through
exchanges) about one-eighth of the
females and two-thirds of the males are
long-winged (scandens). The long-
winged form seems to be more preva-
lent in high latitudes and at high ele-
vations. In point of size also the
species varies much according to local-
ity, specimens from Winchendon, Mass.,
(800-1 zoo ft.) being noticeably larger
than those from the summit of Mt.
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December 1808.3 PSYCHE. 293
Greylock (3500 ft.) ; but Arctic Amer-
ican specimens are said by Scudder to
be distinctly larger than those from
New England or Nebraska. The color
of the hind tibiae is very variable : these are normally red, either deep or pale in tint, yet in many males are luteous or
even greenish. In this paiticular also
specimens vary according to locality.
It makes its appearance early, reach-
ing maturity in late June or early July, and in the White Mountain region is
not uncommon in early September.
Like its ally femur-rz~brum, it is partial to damp or moist surroundings and I
have found it most common in the
thick, succulent growth of grass in
meadows and springy fields. Blatchley
found it in an open peat-bog in Indiana. I have taken it at Norway, Me., No.
Conway, Jackson, and the summit of
Mt. Washington, N. H.; Hyde Park,
Jay, Montgomery, Newport, Troy, Wood-
stock, and on Ascutney Mt., Vt. ; Mt.
Greylock and Winchendon, Mass., and
have received it from Hudson, Me.
(F. P. Briggs).
42. Melanoplus minor Scudd.
Figs. 42, a.
Caloffenus minor. Scudder, Proc.
Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., XVII, 478
(18751.
Melano/Zus minor.
Morse, List, 106 ;
Beutenmflller, Orth. N. Y., 307 ; Scud-
der, Rev. Melanopli, 337, pi. xxii, fig. 9. Measurements from 223 f , 145 $ :
-Antenna: 3, 6.7-7.5 ; 9, 7-8. H.
fern. : J, 10-11 ; 9, 12-13.5. Teg.:
8, I 1-1 j (average 12-13) ; 9, 13.5-
18. Body : ^,IS-18.5 ; 9, 19-24 mm.
The body about reaches the end of
the hind femora; the tegmina are usually I to z mm., shorter, though one male
has them extending 2 mm. beyond the
femora.
The female of this species resembles
most that of coZlinzis from which it can be readily chstinguished, however, by the
foim of Hie scoop of the upper valves
of the ovipositor. The hind tibiae are
very variable, ranging from cherry red
to g~ecnish or blue. Red tibiae are
molecommon among the females (25-
33%, 3 I~-zo%); among the males,
however, they are frequently glaucous
at base and pinkish at tip.
This is the earliest member of the
genus to appear in spring, adults having been taken June 7. By the 20th or
25th of the month, according to weather
and lay of the land it is quite com-
n1on and this is the best time to col-
lect it in series, before the advent of
the swarms of atlanis, femur-rubrum
and coZZIms which shortly appear. I
have taken examples as late as Aug. 20
but at that time they are very scarce
and while they may be found in Sept.
or later are not to be expected.
I have found it most numerous among
sweet vernal and blue grasses (Anthox-
anthum odoratum, Pea fratensis) in
pastures and mowing-lands on gravelly
or sandy upland soils. Its flight is
seldom more than a few feet in length.
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294 PSYCHE. [December 1898.
I have specimens from Fryeburg, Me.,
No. Conway and Jackson, N. H., Bel-
mont (C. J. Maynard), Florence and
Hadley (S. W. Denton), Adams, Blue
Hill, Wellesley and many towns in its
vicinity, New Braintree, Worcester and
Winchendon, Mass., Thompson, Mont-
ville, Niantic, North Windham and
Stamford, Ct. ; and Woodstock. Vt.
43. Melanoplus collinus Scudd.
Figs. 43, a, b.
Melanoplits colZinns. Scndder, Proc.
Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., XIX, 284,
(1878) ; Rev. Melanopli, 346, pi. xxiii, fig. 6 ; Fernald, Orth. N. E., 32 ; Morse, List, 106 ; Beutenmiiller, Orth. N. Y.,
306.
Measurements from 175 f , 148 9 :--
Antenna: J, 7-9; 9, 7.5-9.5. H.
fern. : 3, 10-12.5; 9, 11.5-15. Teg.:
3, 10.7-16.5; 9, 14-19. Body: 8,
16.5-20 ; 9, 19.5-27.5. Total: J,
16.5-22.5 ; 9, 20.5-25.5 mm. The
tegmina reach about to the end of the
hind femora, varying 2 to 3 mm. either
way.
This is one of our later-appearing
species, reaching maturity in the latter part of July and being found until snow
falls; I have taken it from July 30 to
Nov. 17. It may be found almost any-
where, but is partial to open groves
and the edges of woodlands made up
of deciduous trees, especially on rather dry upland soil. I have specimens
from Fryeburg, Norway, and Speckled
Mt., Stoneham, Me. ; Hanover (C. M.
Weed), Mt. Kearsarge (2000 ft.) and
Pinkham Notch, N. H.; Wickford, R.
I.; Canaan, Deep River, New Haven
North Haven, Stamford, and Thompson,
Ct., besides Dedham and Belmont (C. J,
Maynard), Easthampton (S. W. Den-
ton), Adams, Mt. Greylock (3500 ft.) ,
Dover, Sherborn, Waltham, Wellesley,
Provincetown, and West Chop, Martha's
Vineyard, Mass.
44. Melanoplus fernoratus Burm.
Fig. 44.
Caloptenus fernoratus. Burmeister,
Handb. Ent., 11, 638 (1838).
Caldptenus bivittatus. Scudder, Mat.,
465., Smith, Orth. Me., 150, Orth. Ct.,
362 ; Thomas, Syn. Acrid., 166 :
Acrydiumflavovittatum. Harris,
Treatise, 3rd ed., 173.
Melanoplus bivitfatus. Beutenmttller,
Orth. N. Y., 306.
Me/a?zdpZus bivitiafus, var. fernoratus. Morse, List, 106.
Melanoplus fernoratus, Fernald, Orth.
N. E., 32 ; Comstock, Introd., 110 ; Scud- der, Rev. Melanopli, 360, pi. xxiv, fig. 4. Measurements from 142 8, IOO 9 :
-Antenna: f, 14-16 ; 9, 9.6-14. H.
fern.: 8 12.5-16.5 ; 9, 15.5-22. Teg.:
8, 16-22 ; 9,19.5-26; Body: f, 23-
29 ; 9, 29-40. Total: 3,zs.s-31; 2,
28-38. Teg. us. H. fern.: 3,-2 -+3;
9 , -4- +3mm.
This is the largest member of the
genus found in New England and is
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December 1808.1 m Ym. 295
readily recognized. Considerable indi-
vidual variation in general color exists, there being three well-marked color-
forms and all intergrades : ist, olive-
green shaded with brownish-fuscous ;
and, olive-green shaded with lilaceous
or rufous ; 3rd, a bright, light greenish yellow.
Of these the first is the most
plentiful but typical examples of all
three and any number of intergrades
may be taken almost side by side. In
dried specimens this difference of col-
oration is less noticeable, but the color may be retained in cabinet specimens
by removing the contents of the body
when first captured stuffing with cotton, and drying rapidly.
This species is common throughout
New England, inhabiting both coast-
wise marshes and the alpine summits of
the White Mts. So widely distributed
is it that a list of localities is needless. It makes its appearance late in June or
early in July and is common during
most of the season; I have taken it
from June 27 to Sept. 20 and it could
probably be found even later. It is most at home among the coarse grasses and
weeds of moist meadows, springy runs
and swamps, but is comparatively slug-
gish and easily captured.
45. Melanoplus punctulatus Scudd.
Figs. 45, a.
Caloftteftus punctulatus Uhler Ms.
Scudder, Materials, etc., in Boston
Journ. Nat. Hist., VII, p. 465 (1862).
Smith, Orth. Me., 150; Thomas, Syn.
Acrid., 163.
Melanoplus funcbtlatus. Fernald,
Orth. N. E,, 32 ; Morse, List, 106 ;
Beutenmuller, Orth. N. Y., 307 ; Scud-
der, Rev. Melanopli, 374, pi. xxv, fig. 4. Measurements from 13 f , IS 9 : An-
tenna: f, 11-13; 2, 10.5-12. H.
fern. : f, 10-11 ; 9, 11.3-12.7. Teg. :
,?, 14-16.8; 9, 14.5-21.6. Body: 3,
19-20.5 ; 9, 23-29. Total : 8, 20.5-
25 ; 2, 21.5-29 mm.
The male is readily recognized by
the cerci, which though very variable
resemble those of no other species found here save occasionally of fernoratus from which size at once distinguishes it;
the female may be readily recognized
by the ovipositor.
This handsome locust, though widely
distributed in the United States and not uncommon locally, is rare in collections, owing, no doubt, to its habits, which are more arboreal than those of our other
specie^, Coniferous trees, especially
pines, are its favorite haunts. In groves of these it may be found either on the
ground or on the trunks and branches.
I have taken it also in open grassy
fields and even in a greenhouse. It is
a sluggish insect, and a late-comer as
well, adults appearing in late July or
early August (my earliest capture is
Aug. 21, and is found through Septem-
ber and October.
I have specimens from Sherborn (A.
L. Babcock), Amherst (C. H. Fernald),
Prospect Hill, Waltham (C. J. May-
nard), and Wellesley, Mass. ; and
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296 PSYCHE. [December ~898-
Canaan, Ct.
It has been reported to
me from West Woodstock, Ct., (Beuten-
milller), and is recorded from Maine
and New Hampshire by Scudder.
26. PAROXYA Scudd.
Paroxya Scudder 1877. Proc. Boston
Soc. Nat. Hist., XIX, pp. 28-29.
46. Paroxya floridana. Thorn.
Caloptemisfto~idianus. Thomas, Bull.
U. S. Geol. Surv. Terr., I, No. 2., p. 68, (1874).
Paroxj~a atlantica. Femald, Orth.
N. E., 34; Morse, List, 105 ; also
Psyche, (1893), 401 ; Beutenmtiller,
Orth. N. Y., 305.
Paroxyafio7khvza. Scudder, Rev. Mel-
anopli, 383; Sprague, Psyche (1896) 439. Measurements from 82 f , 58 9 ; -
Antenna: f, 13-15; 9, 8.5-11. H.
fern.: f, 12-13.5 ; 9, 15.3-18.7. Teg.:
f, 13-16; 9, 14-5-20. Body: 8,
20-25 ; 9, 26-36. The hind fepora
usually pass the tegmina by I or 2 mm.
in the male and 2 or 3 in the female.
The only variation of note is the
occurrence of a striking melanistic form, at least in the male, several examples of which I secured at Faneuil, Mass., some
yeais ago.
This is a relatively slender-bodied
locust of medium size and graceful and
elegant appearance which should be
readily recognized when captured. It
occurs locally in swamps and marshes
in southern New England, where I have
taken it on cord-grass (Spartina) grow-
ing in the tide-water ditches of salt
meadows and in the long sedge of
bushy inland meadows and swamps. It
is usually numerous but not abundant
where found. While active and alert it
is readily captured owing to its habit of trying to escape observation by getting
out of sight behind the stouter stems of grass and weeds rather than by flight,
to which it resorts only when alarmed.
It leaps well and quickly, but its flight is comparatively short.
In New England it has been taken
from July 22 to Aug. 30 at Cambridge,
Fansuil, Newtonville, and Walpole,
Mass. ; Deep River, North Haven,
Niantic, and Stamford, Ct. Immature
specimens were plentiful at Faneuil on
the earlier date.
ENTOMOLOGICAL EXPEDITIONS. - Mr. R.
E. Snodgrass, assistant in entomology in Le- land Stanford Jr University, sailed from San Francisco on Nov. I , for the Galapagos
Islands. Mr. Snodgrass will spend six
months on the islands collecting insects and other animals for the entomological and
zo5logical departments of the University. Mr. Snodgrass is accompanied by Mr. Ed.
zoology of Leland Stanford Jr University. C. F. Baker left Auburn, Ala., on Nov. st, 8 9
lie has gone on a two years' leave of
absence from the Polytechnic Institute, as field botanist to the Herbert H. Smith ex- ploringexpedition, which will be engaged in . biological work in northwestern South
America. All letters and packages for him should be addressed to St. Croix fall^, Polk -
mund Heller, student in the department of Co., Wisconsin.
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