128 - THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



NOTES ON BRITISH OETHOPTEEA, 1919. ' 



By W. J. Lucas, B.A., F.E.S. 



During 1919 a few somewhat interesting notes and observa- 

 tions were made in connection with our Orthoptera, though 

 perhaps nothing of striking importance has to be recorded. 



FoRFicuLODEA. — Labia minor, Linn, in fair numbers was met 

 with in September on a dunghill at Sudbury in Suffolk (B. S. 

 Harwood). Apferyflida albipennis, Meg. also was captured by 

 beating and sweeping at Sudbury in September (B. S. H.). On 

 the occasion of the South London Natural History Society's 

 excursion to Boxhill on May 31st a considerable number of 

 Forficula auricularia, Linn, were observed. Most were females, 

 but there were at least two males. There is practically no 

 doubt that all were hibernated specimens, and this observation 

 therefore confirms the belief that both sexes may pass the winter 

 as imagines. Of some the wing-tips bore a small pale spot. 

 One young nymph was seen. A few weeks later, on June 21st, 

 upon the occasion of an excursion of the same Society to 

 Boldermere, near Wisley, in Surre}^ no earwigs appear to have 

 been taken. 



Blattodea. — Ectobius lapponicus, Linn, was taken in July 

 at Goodwood, in Sussex (P. Harwood). Ectobius pajizeri, Steph., 

 chiefly in the nymph stage, was found swarming in July on 

 Beta maritima, Linn, and other plants, close to the edge of low 

 cliffs above the shore at St. Mary's, one of the Scilly Isles 

 (K. G. Blair). 



Locustodea. — Of Metrioptera brachytera, Linn, one imago 

 (besides nymphs) was met with at Wellington College, Berks, 

 from July' 23rd to 25th (B. S. H. & P. H.). I found it myself 

 on dry ground at the top of the hill facing Oxshott Station, 

 Surrey, as late as October 4th, and took a grey female and a 

 greenish male. I have been accustomed to expect this species 

 on damper ground. Of its congener, M. roeselii, Hagenb., B. S. 

 Harwood took several males and one female, and saw nymphs 

 also, near Clacton, Essex, on August 8th. He says that it was 

 bis best take of the species, and his first capture since 1913. On 

 August 31st it was common at Shoeburyness, Essex (Blair). 



It is always interesting to hear of the occurrence of Phas- 

 (jonura viridissima, Linn. In July it was met with at St. Mary's, 

 one of the Scilly Isles (Blair). J. F. Rayner showed me a male 

 which he had captured on July 17th in long grass at South 

 Stoneham, near Swaythling, Hants. A. E. Boycott sent me a 

 male which he took at Morthoe, in North Devon, on August 5th. 

 It reached me alive in the New Forest on August 8th, having 

 gone to Kingston before being delivered to me at Brockenhurst. 



