266 INSECTS 



from Lake Brunner, where they were said to have recently appeared, 

 proved to be this species. 



Miller says this species only lives in damp places. 



Thermobia furnorum, Rovelli. (Fire-brat) 



Common about bakehouses, fireplaces, ovens or any warm dry 

 places, especially in the North Island. 



Sub-order COLLEMBOLA 



Family ENTOMOBRYIDJE 



Entomobrya multifasciata, Tulb. 



Two specimens of this cosmopolitan species were found in an 

 ants' nest at Ashburton by Mr W. W. Smith and recorded in (or 

 before) 1895. Its presence there may have been accidental. It is 

 difficult to say whether this is an introduced or an indigenous species. 



Family ACHORUTIDJE 

 Achorutes armatus, Nic., Tulb. 



Three specimens were found in an ants' nest at Ashburton by 

 Mr W. W. Smith, and recorded at the same time as the preceding 

 species. It is a very widely spread form, being found in all European 

 countries, Sumatra, California, Brazil, etc. The same remarks apply 

 to it as to the preceding. 



Order II. ORTHOPTERA 



Family FORFICULID^E 

 Forficula auricularia, Linn. (Earwig) 



This common European insect was first reported from Ashburton 

 by Mr W. W. Smith in 1900. It was recorded from North Canterbury 

 in 1908, and it was stated then that it had been known for some 

 years in the Wairarapa district in the North Island. Since then it 

 has been steadily increasing its range, and its abundance. Mr Howes 

 first met with it commonly under fish crates in the railway station 

 at Palmerston (S.) ; from such a position it would be spread broadcast. 

 It is extremely abundant in the north end of Dunedin, in Christ- 

 church, at Waikari in North Canterbury, and on the railway station 

 at Cass. 



These insects are most destructive to vegetables, flowers and 

 fruits, and they even penetrate into houses, and devour all starchy 

 and saccharine food materials. They are voracious feeders, and are 

 especially fond of the corollas of flowers, so that they are a great 



