. Annual report. Entomological Society of Ontario; Insect pests; Insects -- Ontario Periodicals. 87 THE NORTHERN MOLE CRICKET. {Gryllotalpa borealis, Burm). BY JAMES FLETCHER, OTTAWA. The above-named and most interesting insect is I believe rare in Canada, as I have for some years endeavoured unsuccessfully to obtain Canadian specimens. Good luck, however, has at last favoured me. During the month of September last I was much pleased to find amongst several packets of " live-stock " sent in for identification, one con- taining a fine living female Mole Cricket. This was sent by Mr. W
. Annual report. Entomological Society of Ontario; Insect pests; Insects -- Ontario Periodicals. 87 THE NORTHERN MOLE CRICKET. {Gryllotalpa borealis, Burm). BY JAMES FLETCHER, OTTAWA. The above-named and most interesting insect is I believe rare in Canada, as I have for some years endeavoured unsuccessfully to obtain Canadian specimens. Good luck, however, has at last favoured me. During the month of September last I was much pleased to find amongst several packets of " live-stock " sent in for identification, one con- taining a fine living female Mole Cricket. This was sent by Mr. W. W. Hilborn, who had caught it in his garden at Leamington, in Essex county, Ont. My correspondent stated that the insect was the first he had seen, and that none of his neighbours knew it. Upon opening the box carefully an exceedingly active seal-brown velvety creature was seen to buiTow down out of sight beneath the light earth with which the box was half filled. The contents of the box were then emptied into a tall glass jar, which I keep for the purpose ot examining strange or refractory prisoners when they are first sent in. I at once recognized my visitor as the long looked for mole cricket, and my pleasure was much enhanced by finding it a far more beautiful and interesting creature than I had anticipated. The only way to understand the habits of insects properly is to study them in a living state, and the pleasure thus derived is so great that all who once begin this method of investigation soon become fascinated with it. The Mole Cricket seems to be easily domesticated, and I have now had this specimen in confinement for nearly three months in a glass jar in my otfice, and it is apparently in perfect health. From being noc- turnal in its habits and passing nearly all its life beneath the surface of the earth, it is rather difiicult to observe. Its movements as it runs over the surface of the ground or over the hands are less insect-like than those of any member of tha
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, booksubjectinsectp, bookyear1872
