INSECTS 



Periplanetidee. The Common Cockroach (Blatta orientalis) is such a 

 well-known and widely distributed household pest that few can have 

 failed to make its acquaintance. 



ACRIDIODEA 



Grasshoppers 



Truxalidce. Stenobothrus rufipes, Zett., seems to be fairly well distri- 

 buted, but has not hitherto been noticed in any great numbers. 



S. bicolor^ Charp., is very abundant in all directions and appears to 

 be the commonest member of the family. 



5. elegans, Charp., is considered scarce and local, but may sometimes 

 be met with rather freely on our coast sands in August. 



S. parallelus, Zett., has been found and is probably common, but as 

 it has only partially developed wings and elytra, it is likely to be passed 

 over by the inexperienced collector as an immature form. 



Gomphocerus macu/afus, Thunb. A pretty little species with clubbed 

 antenna?, much smaller than any of the above, is common in dry places. 



QLdipodidee. Pachytylus danicus, L. This conspicuous locust is not a 

 native of Britain but only a casual straggler to our shores. 'Locusts' have 

 been reported from Colchester, Epping and Southend, under the names 

 of Gryllus or Pachytylus migratorius and P. cinerascens, but apparently 

 they were all referable to one species, which in accordance with the law 

 of priority is now known as P. danicus. 



Tettigidce. Tettix bipunctatus, L., frequently turns up unexpectedly, 

 especially in open spaces in woods, and would probably prove a common 

 insect if systematically sought for. 



LOCUSTODEA 



Locusts 



Pbaneropteridce. Leptopbyes punctatissima, Bosc., has been found near 

 Colchester, and is probably as generally common throughout the county 

 as it is in other parts of England. 



Meconemidce. Meconema varium, Fabr. This pretty green insect is 

 generally common, especially about oak trees, from the boughs of which 

 it may be freely beaten in the autumn. It is also frequently found in a 

 semi-torpid state on the boles of the trees as soon as the nights become 

 colder. 



Conocephalida. Xiphidium dorsale, Latr., is considered rare in this 

 country, but may frequently be found in grassy places, especially on 

 certain of our sea walls. As a rule it is a micropterous insect, that is, 

 its elytra and wings are only partially developed, and it is therefore quite 

 incapable of flight ; but in August, 1899, two examples of a form with 

 fully developed wings and elytra were met with near Clacton-on-Sea, 

 and one of them was disporting itself in the air somewhat after the 

 manner of a dragonfly. No previous record of such a form is known, 

 and these may have been examples of a rare local variety or of a new 



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