Zoology.'] NATURAL HISTORY OF VICTORIA. [Insects. 



broad longitudinal black bands from inner edge of eye to posterior margin of head, 

 and one on each side from hind middle of eye extending on to lower margin of 

 thorax, forming two spots, or a band interrupted in the middle ; thorax colored like 

 head, but with collar of bright vermilion-red between its anterior margin and the 

 head ; elytra nearly opaque, dark greyish-brown, with two large, irregular, roundish, 

 black spots, one at middle, and the larger between it and the tip of each elytron ; 

 abdomen blackish-brown, the anterior margins above cinnabar-red, and the fimbriated 

 posterior edges each with a row of small turquoise-blue spots, about 9 on each side; 

 thighs, tibise, and palpi yellowish-grey, with broad transverse bands of black; 

 antennee black, with narrow distant transverse bands of greyish-yellow, less distinct 

 than in the male. 



Reference. — Voy. de la Coquille, vol. 2, pt. 2, p. 153 ; At. Ins., t. 10, f. 2. 



This most abnormal genus differs from all others of the order 

 in the large vaulted tegmina wrapping round the short swollen 

 abdomen in the female, and in that sex being without wings ; while 

 the male has the ordinary elongation and shape of abdomen and 

 elytra, and has ample wings. The small size of the ovipositor is 

 an exception to the rule in the family Gryllidce. 



Like all the Grasshoppers, or Gryllidce, the tarsi of Acripeza 

 are 4-jointed, unlike the 3-jointed tarsi of the Locusts, which they 

 resemble in the shortness of the ovipositor. In the long slender 

 antennae, the drum in base of anterior tibiae, and slender legs and 

 thighs, and the stridulating apparatus at base of anterior wing, 

 they are in accord with the Gryllidce. The Acripezce are, however, 

 very peculiarly distinguished from both by the apterous, deformed 

 females ; and the extraordinarily rugged, coarse reticulation of the 

 elytra. 



Explanation of Figures. 



Plate 129. — Fig. 1, male, natural size, in a flying position. Fig. la, front of head, mag- 

 nified three diameters. Fig. lb, upper lip, magnified three diameters. Fig. 1c, maxilla, magni- 

 fied three diameters. Fig. Id, mandible, showing small toothed apex, hood, and 5-jointed palpus, 

 magnified three diameters. Fig. le, lower lip, showing 4 lobes and 3-jointed palpi, magnified 

 three diameters. Fig. If, tarsus, side view, showing 4 joints. Fig. la, tarsus, viewed from 

 below, showing division of basal joint, magnified three diameters. Fig. 1/;, hind leg, magnified 

 two diameters. Fig. It, anterior leg, magnified two diameters, showing drum in base of tibia. 

 Fig. Ik, portion of antennas, magnified six diameters. Fig. 1/, elytra, magnified two diameters, 

 to show reticulation and talc-like stridulating organ at base of right elytron and its absence 

 from base of left one. Fig. Ira, sternum, showing pairs of spines between bases of legs, mag- 

 nified two diameters. Fig. In, side view of termination of abdomen, showing long appendages 

 and sub-anal plate, magnified three diameters. Fig. lo, same, viewed from behind. Fig. 2, 

 male, in walking position, viewed sideways, natural size. Fig. 3, female, viewed from above, 

 with elytra raised, natural size. Fig. 3a, right elytron, magnified two diameters, showing 

 reticulation and absence of stridulating spot at base. Fig. 36, side view of posterior end of 

 abdomen, showing short appendages and ovipositor, magnified three diameters. Fig. 3c, same, 

 viewed from behind. Fig. 3d, portion of antenna?, magnified six diameters. Fig. 4, female, with 

 elytra covering abdomen, side view, natural size. 



Frederick McCoy. 

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