ON THE COURTSHIP OF THE SEXES IN ŒDIPODA CAROLINA

Extract

For several seasons past, along in the latter part of summer (August and September) I have noticed certain peculiar actions on the part of the large flying locust, Œdipoda carolina Linn. I have always suspected that these actions have something to do with the union of the sexes. In the warm parts of the days at this time of the year individuals of this species may frequently be seen rising from the ground, and, hovering several feet in the air, rapidly vibrating their wings and making a peculiar flapping or beating sound, the while keeping nearly the same relative position in space. Although my notes on this subject are rather imperfect, I think they may be of use. I can not find that the subject has ever been touched upon before; such may be the case, but I have not been able to discover record of it in any reports, periodicals or works on insects. Still these actions must have been noticed by observers, as they are of common occurrence.