The insects of this order may all be collected by the use of the sweeping net. Some of the families are attracted to light, as certain of the roaches and green locusts, or Katydids (Locustidæ). Our common roaches (Blattidæ) are cosmopolitan insects, and infest dwellings. Certain species are also found about ponds, under rotten logs, the bark of trees, and particularly in decaying vegetable matter. In the tropics the species are very abundant, but aside from the domestic forms, they occur rarely in northern latitudes. The collection of the egg-cases (oötheca) is important as they furnish many interesting characters. The Mantidæ, of which the Preying Mantis (Phasmomantis carolina) is a type, are sluggish, carnivorous insects frequently found about houses and may best be collected by general sweeping of vegetation. The Phasmidæ or Walking-sticks are herbivorous and may be collected in the midst of vegetation by sweeping or by the hand. The crickets (Gryllidæ) frequent, for the most part, moist situations. Certain forms, like the Mole-cricket and the Jumping Water-crickets (Trydactylus spp.), burrow in moist soil and occur in numbers near the edges of ponds and water courses. The katydids and locusts are abundant on low shrubs or trees and in pasture and meadow land, but are most numerous in the somewhat dry, arid regions of the West. Most of these insects mature in late summer and fall and should be collected at this season. The Forficulidæ or Earwigs are very odd-looking insects, resembling somewhat the Rove-beetles (Staphylinidæ), and are provided with a prominent anal forceps. They are very rare in the United States, are nocturnal in habit; and, flying about at dusk, may be attracted to light or may be secured by sweeping after nightfall. They feed on flowers and fruit.
Fig. 82.—A blind Cricket (Hadenalcus) from Mammoth Cave. (From Packard.)
[COLLECTING NEUROPTERA.]
As indicated in the preliminary outline of classification, this large order has been divided into many orders by later entomologists. It has also been divided, as indicated, into two grand divisions, the Pseudoneuroptera, comprising those insects with incomplete transformations, and the Neuroptera proper, comprising those insects whose metamorphoses are complete. It will be convenient to discuss these insects under these two heads.
Fig. 83.—A Spring-tail
(Degeeria lanuginosa).
Fig. 84.—A Mallophagan
(Trichodectes latus).
(After Denny.)
[Pseudoneuroptera.]—Spring-tails, Bird-lice, Stone-flies, White-ants, Dragon-flies, May-flies.