SYNOPSIS OF THE ORTHOPTERA OF WESTERN EUROPE. 43 



Synopsis of the Orthoptera of Western Europe. 



By MALCOLM BURE, B.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S., F.E.S. 



{Continued from vol. xviii., p. 11.) 



Genus III : Acridium, Geoftroy. 



This contains a number of large locusts of which several species 

 occur in Africa, but only one in Europe ; it is the largest of the 

 European Acridoidea. 



1. Acridium .egyptium, Linn. 



Easily known by its large size, uniform dark grey colour and 

 smoky wings, and purple underside of posterior femora. Length of 

 body, 32mm. -47mm. ^, 50mm. -66mm. $; of pronotum, 9-8mm.- 

 11mm. (? , 13mm. -15mm. $ ; of elytra, 45mm. S' , 56mm. -63mm. 2 . 



Common throughout southern Europe. In France it is common 

 in the south and reaches as far north as Bordeaux and Montelimar. 

 It is found also in Corsica and in all Spain and Portugal. In Austria 

 it occurs in the Prater and at Dornbach ; an isolated specimen is recorded 

 from Erlangen. It is commonly imported into England among 

 cauliflowers and other vegetables. It is abundant in Italy, and 

 common also in Sardinia ; the adult may be found nearly all the year 

 round ; the immature forms, which are often uniform green or yellow, 

 are found in the autumn and live through the winter. 



Genus IV : Schistocerca, Stal. 

 This genus includes a number of American species, but only one 

 occurs in the Old World. It is allied to the preceding, but differs in 

 the indicated generic characters. 



1. Schistocerca peregrina, Olivier. 



Light reddish with paler spots and markings. Length of body, 

 46mm.-55nim. ^ , 57mm. ? ; of pronotum, 9mm. -10mm. g , 10mm. 

 ? ; of elytra, 50mm.-60mm. <? , 60mm. $ . 



This is the famous locust Avhich does so much damage in Algeria ; 

 it occurs commonly in Africa, and sometimes strays into Europe. It 

 has been taken in Portugal, the Balearic Islands, and sometimes 

 accidentally in England. It is taken fairly often in the extreme 

 south of Spain, as at Cadiz, Malaga, etc., and appears to be now 

 acclimatised in Portugal. It is not recorded from France. It is an 

 annual plague in southern Algeria, and is often sold in the market as 

 a kind of dried food under the name of " djerad." 



Genus V : Podisma, Latreille ( = Pezotettix, Burmeister). 

 This genus includes a number of mountain insects, of small and 

 stout build ; the organs of flight are almost ahvays rudimentary, but 

 occasionally fairly well developed. 



Table of Species. 

 1. Elytra present, rudimentary or developed. 



2. Hind tibife red .. .. .. ..1. frigidum, Boheman. 



2.2. Hind tibiae blue or greenish. 

 3. Valves of ovipositor curved. 



4. Hind tibise yellowish, at least near the 



apex . . . . . . . . . . 2. ALPiNUM, KoUar. 



4,4. Hind tibiae entirely blue . . . . 3. pedestke, Linn. 



., „„, J.--, . ■ ^ J. A fscHJiEDTi, Bruuner. 



3.3. Valves of ovipositor straight .. .. ^- \i^ = ,,^^o^^^Br.,iaProd.). 



