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Genus Psinidia
The North American Grasshoppers, volume I, Acrididae, Gomphocerinae and Acridinae By Daniel Otte
Harvard, 1981
This is a very thorough treatment of the Slant-face Grasshoppers. It is full of information on behavior, has descriptions and maps of all species, as well as high quality illustrations of nearly all. It is extremely useful as an identification guide, as well as for learning about these fascinating insects. It covers all of North America from Panama northward. The treatment is still nearly up to date, with little having changed since it was published. I believe it is out of print now, but I find it still occasionally available. Hopefully it will be reprinted.
[url=http://www.hup.harvard.
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The North American Grasshoppers, volume II, Acrididae, Oedipodinae By Daniel Otte
Harvard, 1984
This is a very thorough treatment of the Band-wing Grasshoppers. It is full of information on behavior, has descriptions and maps of all species, as well as high quality illustrations of nearly all. It is extremely useful as an identification guide, as well as for learning about these fascinating insects. It covers all of North America from Panama northward. The treatment is still nearly up to date, with little having changed since it was published. I believe it is out of print now, but I find it still occasionally available. Hopefully it will be reprinted.
[url=http://www.hup.harvard.e
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How to Know the Grasshoppers, Cockroaches, and Their Allies By Jacques R. Helfer
Wm. C. Brown Company, 1962
Part of the original Pictured Key Nature Series. I have only seen the 1962 original paperback. There was a 1987 Dover reprint, apparently of the 1972 (2nd) edition.
Covers grasshoppers, termites, cockroaches, and mantids. Has 540 good black-and-white illustrations. Though somewhat dated, has more thorough coverage of some groups (e.g., Pygmy Grasshoppers, Tetrigidae) than more recent popular guides. Worth finding if you are interested in orthoptera.
The 1987 Dover reprint of the 2nd edition includes a new preface, new footnotes, new illustrations, treatment of crickets, and a
Contributed by Cotinis on 15 March, 2004 - 10:57pm |
Orthoptera of North-eastern America By W. S. Blatchley
The Nature Publishing Company, 1920
Old is not always bad. While it is seriously outdated (1920), the best, most thorough and comprehensive single treatment of eastern US Orthoptera (and related insects) published is 'Orthoptera of North-eastern America' by W. S. Blatchley.
The title is a bit misleading, because it includes pretty much everything east of the Mississippi. Also, the definition of Orthoptera has changed over the years, and this book includes things such as Earwigs (Dermaptera), Roaches & Mantids (Dictyoptera), and Walkingsticks (Phasmatodea). It is well worth a search through libraries and used book shops if you are really interested in these insects. It does not have much in the way of illustrations (mostly drawings to aid in identification where necessary), but it is very interesting to read, with lots of discussion and detail. Each species is discussed at length and includes descriptions of the insect, habitat, life history when known, history, etc.
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Songs of Crickets and Katydids of the Mid-Atlantic States By Steve Rannels, Wil Hershberger and Joseph Dillon
(authors), 1998
Mentioned by Eric Eaton in a post--I have not heard this CD. It is available from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology ( www.sapsuckerwoods.com).
Here is a description by the authors, and you can order it directly from them ($16).
Contributed by Cotinis on 28 August, 2005 - 11:16pm |
Orthoptera of Michigan By Roger Bland
Michigan State University Exttension, 2003
Spiral bound, 220 pages. Has 100 or more color photos, mostly of specimens, illustrated keys, life history information. Gives seasonal information for Michigan. Has extensive references and a glossary. Looks very useful for anyone in the eastern or central United States. Luckily, many southern species just reach Michigan, so they are included. Includes all orthopterans, not just grasshoppers--a real plus. My only wish is that the photos were a bit larger.
Available directly from the Michigan State University Exttension service at this page.
Contributed by Cotinis on 10 October, 2004 - 8:06am |
 Field Guide To Grasshoppers, Katydids, And Crickets Of The United States By John L. Capinera, Ralph D. Scott, Thomas J. Walker
Cornell University Press, 2004
Finally got a copy--the hardback. It is just stunning. Key features:
* color illustrations of 206 species
* anatomic diagrams and explanations
* range maps
* sonograms
* discussions of identification (including similar species) and ecology
* pictorial key that looks very useful, and accessible to the amateur.
Minor quibbles: There are plenty of illustrations, 206 in color, but there could always be more. (Hey, but then it would be really pricey!) I wish the plates had references to page numbers in the text, but that would make them cluttered and less pretty. (They are lovely as is.) It would be great if there was an accompanying CD with songs, but they do refer to the Singing Insects of North America web site. Perhaps a CD will be published in the future.
Contributed by Cotinis on 30 August, 2004 - 9:16pm |
Crickets and Katydids, Concerts and Solos By Vincent G. Dethier
Harvard University Press, 1992
Essays and life histories of New Engleand orthoptera. Has some keys, including a phonetic key to songs, and references.
Contributed by Cotinis on 21 March, 2004 - 10:10am |
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