30 



Decon: Wembury Cliffs (Bignell), Bi-aunton Burrows (Parfitt). 

 Norfolk: Docking Common (Shaw). (Gloucester: Colesbourne 

 (Edwards). 



Omocestus viridulus, Linn. — In this species we have one of the 

 commonest of our Acridian grasshoppers occurring — and it would 

 seem freely — in all four parts of the British Isles, including the 

 Isle of Man. It is also widely distributed over northern and 

 central Europe, and is found in northern Asia. Few grasshoppers 

 in this country are mature before midsuuimer. This one seems to 

 be a fairly early species, but I have not noted it l)efore June 26th. 

 The female is of fair size and somewhat bulky build, but less heavy- 

 looking than the last species. Usually the general dark green 

 •colour will indicate O. viridulus, and, though the colouring may 

 vary somewhat, this species will seldom be confused with anything 

 •except the next, (J. ruiipes, from which it may be distinguished by 

 .the unicolorous palpi. A form occurs of a rosy tint. In captivity 

 0. viridulus may be fed on fresh grass. Near Winkton Post, in the 

 New Forest, on August 22nd, 1902, 1 took a specimen of the Robber- 

 fly {A. criibroniformis) which had captured a male of this species. 

 Both captor and prey were given to Professor Poulton for his series 

 of insects and their prey. 



Omocestus rufipes, Zett. — This species is found all over Europe. 

 In this country, though perhaps not rare, it cannot be described as 

 common. Personally, I have taken it only in the New Forest, 

 where it occurs in a number of spots, but perhaps prefers rides in 

 oak and similar woods. Other localities that have been given are: 

 Kent: Deal (Briggs), Heme Bay (Waterhouse), Guestling 

 (Bloomfield), Bromley (Shaw). Surrey: Leith Hill (Briggs). 

 Sussex: Abbott's Wood (Porritt). Gloucester: Wotten (Shaw). 

 Dorset: Glanvilles Wootten (fc^s^*' Burr). Devon: Coast (Bignell), 

 Lynton (Briggs). Cormndl: Newquay and Land's End (]3urr). 

 yorth Wales: Penmaenmawr (Porritt). Suffolk: Broad (Morley). 

 Cambridije : Wicken (Porritt). York: Thorne Moor, Sandburn, 

 Castle Howard (Porritt). Lake District (Porritt). Rannoch, in 

 Scotland, has been given as a locality, but the report seems to need 

 confirmation. 



From its congener, 0. viridulus, it may be readily known by the 

 conspicuous white tip to the palpi, and the ruddy abdomen. It is 

 also somewhat smaller in size and usually darker in colour. I have 

 kept the species alive for some time in captivity, feeding it on grass. 

 Stauroderus bicolor, Charp. — In this species we have one of 

 the commonest of British Orthoptera, and it is equally common 

 throughout Europe. It would therefore be superfluous, as well as 

 tedious, to give the very numerous localities that have been recorded 

 for it, though I doubt if even yet every English county would 

 appear upon the list. There are also a number of Scotch, Irish 

 and Welsh records as well as some from the Isle of Man. -S. bicolor 

 is essentially the field grasshopper, preferring dry open spots 



