RNIA. 

 BLATTA (BLABERUS) GIGANTEA 



PLATE VII. Fig. 1. 



Blatta gigantea Linn. Fabr Blaberus giganteus, Servilfa 

 Drury's Exotic Insects^ vol. ii. PI. 36, fig. 2. 



This is certainly the largest species of this family ; 

 the length of the body being frequently about three 

 inches, and the wings when expanded often measur- 

 ing half a foot from tip to tip. The general colour 

 is a dusky livid ; head reddish-brown ; antennae half 

 the length of the body, and of a brown colour. The 

 thorax, which is thin and flat, of comparatively small 

 size, and of a transverse oval shape, has a large 

 quadrate brownish-black spot in the centre. The 

 tegmina, as well as the wings, are livid, the former 

 appearing striated, and having a narrow brown streak 

 on each, extending from the shoulder along the mid- 

 dle. Abdomen brown ; the legs reddish-brown. 



This species is a native of South America and the 

 West Indian Islands. It has occasionally appeared 

 in this country in the vicinity of harbours and docks, 

 but can no more be regarded as a native than the 

 bird-spider of America (Mygale avicularia), and 

 other foreign visitors, which are sometimes found in 

 such situations. This insect well represents the 

 general form and appearance of the Blattse, but there 

 is a small section of somewhat dissimilar aspect aris- 

 ing from the back being rather convex, the colours 

 deeper and more varied, with other less obvious dif- 

 ferences. As an example of this modification of 

 form, we have figured 



P 



