Biting in Orthoptera and their allies

Abstract

Orthoptera of some subfamilies bite when handled carelessly, while those of other subfamilies rarely do so. This behavior has not been reviewed, and the little that is known about it is recorded perfunctorily within reports on other topics. It is probably more common than is indicated by its scant literature ; those who are sufficiently trained in entomology to report defensive biting are expert in handling the insects and not likely to be bitten. The vast majority of bites, therefore, go unrecorded. 'Whatever the extent of biting-, it is of interest both in terms of its possible biological significance and because it hurts.