B. Species or Genera
Characters of SpeciesCommon NameGroups
Large size, brown colorAmerican cockroachCockroaches
Small size, pale brown"Croton bug"
Dark color, often winglessOriental cockroach
Body long, anterior portion slenderMantis or rear horseMantis
Long body, long legs, no wingsWalking stickWalking sticks
Very large size, wings very smallLubber grasshopperShort-horned grasshoppers
Small to medium size, legs marked with redRed-legged grasshopper
Large size, greenish brown colorDifferential locust
Medium to large size, sand color (gray)Carolina locusts
Rather large, green, wings large and angledAngle-wing katydidLong-horned grasshoppers
Small to rather large, usually greenMeadow grasshopper
Wingless, brown colorCricket grasshopper
Usually rather large, blackField cricketCrickets
Wingless, front legs shovel-shapedMole cricket

5. THE DRAGON FLY

An Insect adapted to Aerial Life

Materials.

Mounted specimens of dragon flies, some moist preserved specimens, living specimens if practicable, simple lenses.

Observations.
  1. Identify the three regions of the body and note the presence of a distinct neck. What is the length of the insect? What is its general form? If you have living specimens, discover what movements the head and abdomen are capable of making.
  2. What is the position and general character of the wings? Explain how these wings are made very efficient for flying. Why should they not fold?
  3. For what do the legs seem best adapted? Why?
  4. Note the size of the eyes and of the antennæ? How do you account for the great size of the eyes and the relatively small antennæ?
  5. What is the type of mouth parts, biting or sucking? If you have living dragon flies, try feeding them flies or mosquitoes and note how they are seized.
  6. The food of dragon flies is mosquitoes and flies caught while on the wing. In what various ways is the dragon fly specialized for getting food in this manner?
Summary.