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Table of Families — Part 2

Hind thighs stouter, or longer, or both, than the other thighs; head vertical; ovipositor generally extruded; generally singers or chirpers (stridulators) . . . . . 1

Hind thighs like the other thighs; head usually bent under; ovipositor concealed; mute . . . . . 3

1--Antennae much longer than the body, delicately tapering; sound-producing organs at the inner base of the fore wings (tegmina); ovipositor usually prolonged into a blade or needle . . . . . 2

Antennae much shorter than the body, not delicately tapering; sound-producing organs on the hind thighs and outer edge of the fore wings; ovipositor composed of a double pair of short plates which diverge at tip. Family Acridiidae

2--Feet (tarsi) four-jointed, nearly similar in structure on all legs; ovipositor (unless, as rarely, concealed) forming a strongly compressed, generally sword-shaped blade, valves not expanded at tip . . . . . Family Locustidae

Tarsi three-jointed, those of the fore or hind legs differing from the others in structure; ovipositor (unless, as rarely, concealed) forming a nearly cylindrical, straight, or occasionally upcurved needle; valves expanded at tip. . . . . Family Gryllidae

3--Body oval, flattened; head nearly horizontal; rapid runners. . . . . . Family Blattidae

Body long, narrow; head free; slow movers. . . . . . 4

4--Head oblique, generally three-cornered; front legs fitted for grasping. . . . . . Family Mantidae

Head nearly horizontal, generally four-cornered; front legs like the other legs. . . . . . Family Phasmidae