FORFICULIDAE 11 



FORFICLTLIDAE. 



This family has never been divided by systematists save into 

 genera, of which half a dozen occur in the United States, and 

 may be separated by the subjoined table. Somewhat more than 

 thirty genera are now recognized in the whole world. None of 

 our genera are restricted to our territory. 



Genera of Forficxilidae. 



A^. Sixth antennal joint much shorter than the first. 



h^. First antennal joint as long as the fourth to sixth joints 

 inclusive. 



c^ Furnished with both tegmina and wings. 



Labidura Leach. 

 c^. Possessed of neither tegmina nor wing-s. 



Anisolabis Fieber. 

 b'^. Fu'st antennal joint no longer than the fourth and fifth 

 joints together, .... Spongophora Serville. 



A^. Sixth antennal joint as long or very nearly as long as the 

 first, 



h^. Sixth antennal joint cylindrical, many times longer than 

 broad; second tarsal joint produced beneath the first, 

 c^ Forks of the male forceps dilate at base, contiguous. 



Forficula Linn6. 

 c^. Forks of male forceps not dilate at base, separate. 



Sphingolahis Bormans. 

 IP'. Sixth antennal joint plainly obconic; second tarsal joint 

 simple, compressed. ..... Labia Leach. 



The first two genera are rei)resented by single cosmopolitan ' 

 species, introduced along the Atlantic coast. Spongophora is 

 also known only by a single species, foimd in the Southern 

 States and southward. The other genera are better represented, 

 especially Forficula, but most of the species are confined to the 

 extreme south. Hardly more than a dozen species of the family 

 occur anywhere in the United States. 



