Ii6 NEW ZEALAND ENTOMOLOGY. 



Wellington district, becoming", however, again common 

 further north. 



When disturbed it leaps into the air, spreads its wings, 

 and flies away with great rapidity for thirty or forty yards, 

 when it alights, and allows its pursuer to get within a few 

 yards of his prize before again making off. This habit 

 renders the capture of a good series of this insect a most 

 arduous matter. The sexes may be readily distinguished 

 by their size, the female being nearly twice as large as her 

 mate. 



This species is very variable in colour, some individuals 

 being dark green whilst others are of a uniform drab. 



The food of this insect consists of various domestic 

 grasses, but I do not think it is at present sufficiently 

 abundant to exercise any harmful influence on agriculture. 

 By some entomologists, however, it is regarded as only a 

 variety of the renowned migratory locust (Locusta migra- 

 toria), and as such its advent in large numbers might be 

 viewed with serious apprehension. 



It is also strange that although I have often seen large 

 numbers of this species in the perfect state I have never 

 observed the larva. I can only conjecture that the insect 

 breeds in very secluded localities and then migrates in 

 search of fresh food supplies. 



Group EUl'LEXOPTERA. 



Family Forficulid^e. 



Forficesila littorea (Plate XVII., fig. 7). 



Abundant on the sea beach throughout the year, where 

 it may be readily captured under stones and seaweed. It 

 is a very bold insect, and when disturbed will grasp a blade 

 of grass, or other object, very firmly with its powerful 

 abdominal forceps, and allow itself to be lifted off the 

 ground and carried away rather than relinquish its hold. 



