Page 25 - Adventures through the World of Entomology
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ORTHOPTERA — or for our purposes, Ortho ptera. “ortho,” from the Greek meaning “straight” ORTHOPTERA — or for our purposes, Ortho ptera. “ortho,” from the Greek meaning “straight”
— as in orthodontics, straightening of the teeth, or orthopedics, straightening skeletal deformities. — as in orthodontics, straightening of the teeth, or orthopedics, straightening skeletal deformities.
Members of this order of insects have four pairs of wings, the first pair being “leathery” and the second Members of this order of insects have four pairs of wings, the first pair being “leathery” and the second
pair being “membranous.” When the insect is at rest, the first pair of wings is folded over the abdomen pair being “membranous.” When the insect is at rest, the first pair of wings is folded over the abdomen
so that their edges form a straight line down the length of the wings. Members of this order that come so that their edges form a straight line down the length of the wings. Members of this order that come
to the attention of the pest control service technician include Grasshoppers, Locusts, Katydids, Walking to the attention of the pest control service technician include Grasshoppers, Locusts, Katydids, Walking
sticks, Praying mantids, Jerusalem crickets, House crickets, Field crickets, Tree crickets, Camel crickets, sticks, Praying mantids, Jerusalem crickets, House crickets, Field crickets, Tree crickets, Camel crickets,
and Mole crickets. and Mole crickets.
PRAYING MANTIS — HEADLESS MALE WITH FEMALE PRAYING MANTIS — HEADLESS MALE WITH FEMALE
Photo Courtesy of UNVAR Photo Courtesy of UNVAR
Mole crickets alone are estimated to cause in excess of 30 million dollars worth of damage in Florida Mole crickets alone are estimated to cause in excess of 30 million dollars worth of damage in Florida
alone — golf course greens being their most noticeable destruction sites. Occasionally Field cricket alone — golf course greens being their most noticeable destruction sites. Occasionally Field cricket
populations build up to such huge numbers that they overrun a local area. My first introduction to populations build up to such huge numbers that they overrun a local area. My first introduction to
this problem was in Tulsa, Oklahoma more than 40 years ago when there was such a gigantic cricket this problem was in Tulsa, Oklahoma more than 40 years ago when there was such a gigantic cricket
outbreak that it was impossible to keep them out of the hotel lobbies in the center of town. My last outbreak that it was impossible to keep them out of the hotel lobbies in the center of town. My last
experience with a huge cricket population was just a couple of years ago. Population build up was experience with a huge cricket population was just a couple of years ago. Population build up was
in the area around Bakersfield, California, where literally millions of crickets emerged to clog the in the area around Bakersfield, California, where literally millions of crickets emerged to clog the
filters of huge irrigation pumps. They became a health menace when they clogged the filters of the filters of huge irrigation pumps. They became a health menace when they clogged the filters of the
pumps at the sewage treatment plants. Hundreds of years ago the Indians that inhabited the area from pumps at the sewage treatment plants. Hundreds of years ago the Indians that inhabited the area from
Pocatello, Idaho, southward to Las Cruces, New Mexico, were familiar with the fact that the locust Pocatello, Idaho, southward to Las Cruces, New Mexico, were familiar with the fact that the locust
population in some years would build up into such large numbers as to destroy much needed food crops. population in some years would build up into such large numbers as to destroy much needed food crops.
I was personally able to observe one such locust buildup when I was stationed at the Kerns Overseas I was personally able to observe one such locust buildup when I was stationed at the Kerns Overseas
Replacement Depot located southwest of Salt Lake City, during the Second World War. One day in the Replacement Depot located southwest of Salt Lake City, during the Second World War. One day in the
springtime there was lush vegetation covering the camp area and the next day there was nothing left but springtime there was lush vegetation covering the camp area and the next day there was nothing left but
sand and rocks. sand and rocks.
FIELD CRICKET FIELD CRICKET
Photo Courtesy of UNVAR Photo Courtesy of UNVAR
ORTHOPTERA = Ortho ptera. “Ortho” comes from Orthos, meaning “Straight.” ORTHOPTERA = Ortho ptera. “Ortho” comes from Orthos, meaning “Straight.”
At rest, the first pair of wings is folded over the abdomen so that their edges form a At rest, the first pair of wings is folded over the abdomen so that their edges form a
straight line down the length of the wings. straight line down the length of the wings.
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