ii2 NEW. ZEALAND ENTOMOLOGY, 



Family ACHETID.E. 

 Acheta fuliginosa (Plate XVIIL, fig. i). 



This destructive insect is not indigenous to New Zealand, 

 having been introduced from Australia into the Nelson 

 district many years ago. Strange to say it has never been 

 seen in Wellington, where specimens must be constantly 

 landed amongst produce, &c., but appear to be unable to 

 effect a settlement, owing, probably, to some peculiarity of 

 the . climate which renders the place unsuitable for 

 them. The larvae may be first observed about Decem- 

 ber, when they are often seen hopping about the 

 vegetation. They are extremely obnoxious, devouring 

 everything, and frequently entering houses, where they 

 consume provisions, clothes, and even boots. During the 

 summer of 1875 the farmers round Nelson were fairly eaten 

 out by this insect, the cattle absolutely starving for the 

 want of food, but since that time the pest seems to have 

 gradually diminished, although it is still very injurious to 

 many garden plants. 



The illustration (Fig. i) is taken from a female, the male 

 wanting the long ovipositor. These insects appear in the 

 imago state about March, and continue in great abundance 

 until the end of summer, the cold weather which generally 

 sets in about the beginning of May rapidly destroying 

 them. 



Family GRYLLID^:. 



Deinacrida megacephala (Plate XVIIL, fig. 2 $\ XVII., 

 fig. 8 ?). 



This conspicuous species is especially interesting, as it 

 may be regarded as the type of a very peculiar assemblage 

 of apterous crickets, pre-eminently characteristic of New 

 Zealand. It is very abundant round Wellington, and may 

 be occasionally taken under logs, &c., but is best procured 



