Great Hike Part 22

THE CAMPFIRES OF THE WOLF PATROL.

Trees and Wild Flowers of the United States in Number II.

WOODCRAFT, OR HOW A PATROL LEADER MADE GOOD.

Reptiles of the United States in Number III.

PATHFINDER, OR THE MISSING TENDERFOOT.

Fishes of the United States in Number IV.

FAST NINE, OR A CHALLENGE FROM FAIRFIELD.

Insects of the United States in Number V.

GREAT HIKE, OR THE PRIDE OF THE KHAKI TROOP.

Birds of the United States in Number VI.

ENDURANCE TEST, OR HOW CLEAR GRIT WON THE DAY.

THE INSECTS OF THE UNITED STATES.

Insects are the most abundant of the animal kingdom. They are cla.s.sified princ.i.p.ally by the nature of their wings. Dr. Sharp, an authority on Entomology, recognizes but nine orders:

1. Aptera.

2. Orthoptera.

3. Neuroptera.

4. Hymenoptera.

5. Coleoptera.

6. Lepidoptera.

7. Diptera.

8. Thysanoptera.

9. Hemiptera.

Many useful products are obtained from insects. From them we get our silk, honey and cochineal, and they help to fertilize our flowers. On the other hand, many are detrimental to agriculture and health.

APTERA.

These are primitive insects without wings. The Campodea, a small insect, belongs to this order. Another example is the "Silverfish," which is found in receptacles holding sugar, starch, etc., in and about unclean bakeshops and kitchens. They are known princ.i.p.ally in houses of the Southern States, especially in damp places.

ORTHOPTERA.

These are the straight-winged insects. They have four wings, the front pair being usually leathery and smaller than the hind pair.

Here belong the Gra.s.shoppers, Katydids and Crickets. c.o.c.kroaches, Walking-sticks, Leaf insects, Praying Mantis also belong to this order.

THE c.o.c.kROACH.

Most of the c.o.c.kroaches are nocturnal. It is said that their food is dead animal matter. The kinds of c.o.c.kroaches found in the house are the American c.o.c.kroach, Croton-bug and the Black Beetle. Apparently they eat anything, animal or vegetable, and are great pests in ill-kept houses, especially where moisture is plentiful. The name "Croton-bug" is applied to the smaller sort, it having made its appearance about the time when Croton water was first used in New York City. They show a strong distaste to light and are fond of warmth. The eggs are laid in capsules.

THE LOCUST.

This family are insects most destructive to crops. The antennas are short, the hind legs large and strong, giving them their jumping power.

The most injurious of these is the migratory locust. During the years 1874 to 1876 this insect, it is said, did more than $200,000,000 damage to crops in four States of the Union. Every country boy knows the crackling sound made by these gra.s.shoppers in their flight. Their "song"

is made by the sc.r.a.ping of the legs against their wings. Locusts swarm and are not particular as to the kind of vegetable matter which they eat; anything green which they chance upon is devoured. The red-legged gra.s.shopper is the one most common in the Eastern States in late summer.

The true or green gra.s.shoppers have long horns, are much softer in body and "sing" more than their cousins of the locust family. The "Katydids"

belong here.

CRICKETS.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PRAYING MANTIS.]

Crickets are closely related to the green gra.s.shoppers. They have long antennae. The Mole Cricket burrows in the earth, as its name implies, digging with its powerful forelegs. The black Field Cricket lives in small burrows in fields and pastures. The Crickets are musical and together with their cousins of this family swell the insect chorus of our summer nights.

A peculiar insect belonging to this family is popularly known as the Walking-stick; in motion it does not look unlike a twig moving about.

Its body is long and slender. In the tropics this family has many forms which so closely resemble the leaves, and even flowers of plants and trees, as to fool not only the casual but the close observer.

Another peculiar insect is the Praying Mantis; this name has been given them because of the position which they take, the legs being held as though in prayer. They are found in the Southern States and are regarded with superst.i.tious awe by the ignorant.

THE NEUROPTERA.

These are the net-veined winged insects; the Dragon flies, Mayflies, Caddis-flies belong in this order.