I 



SYNOPSIS OF THE ORTHOPTERA OF WESTERN EUROPE. 



257 



I 



A rare insect, occurring in a few localities in the extreme south of 

 Europe, as in Portugal ; in Spain ; in Italy also at Pegii and Naples, 

 on Abius f/lutinosiis, under the leaves ; in France it is rare, but has 

 been found on walnut and oak, in July, at Niort, Fran9ois, Deux 

 Sevres, Draguignan, Bagnols, and Roquebrune. 



Family III : Conocephalid^. 



This group is but poorly represented in Europe ; the two genera 

 that do occur contain each about 70 species, but only one of 

 Conocephalus, and but few of Xiphidiwn are found in Europe. The 

 pointed vertex, strongly inclined frons, somewhat slender build, and 

 long and straight ovipositor, give the members of this family a 

 characteristic appearance. 



The anterior tibiae have the tympanum cleft- shaped or rimate, and 

 the hinder tibiae have an apical spine above on each side ; the anterior 

 tibiae are smooth, not sulcate at the side, with no apical spines ; the 

 fastigium of the vertex is free and prominent, separated by the deep 

 sulcus from the frontal costa ; the hinder tibiae have four apical spines 

 beneath, and the European species have two spines on the prosternum. 



Table of Geneea. 



1. Posterior femora unarmed beneath, or with merely 



a few minute spinules on the outer margin ; 



fastigium of vertex blunt, shorter than first 



antennal segment ; stature small and slender . . 



1.1. Posterior femora with many spines beneath ; 



fastigium of vertex broader and longer than 



first antennal segment ; stature moderately 



large and stout 



1. XiPHiDiuM, Serv. 



2. Conocephalus, Thuub. 



Genus I : Xiphidium, Serville. 



This extensive genus includes a number of graceful and slender 

 insects, with strongly sloping face, and long, sometimes extremely 

 long, and straight ovipositor ; five species occur in Europe, one being- 

 eastern in its distribution. 



Table op Species. 



1. Side flaps of pronotum inflated like a bubble near 

 hinder border ; prosternum with two spines. 

 2. Elytra and wings surpassing apex of abdomen ; 

 ovipositor straight. 

 3. Hinder femora on lower margin on outer 

 side with two dark spinules ; ovipositor 

 perfectly straight 

 3.3. Hinder femora with three to tour dark 

 spinules on lower outer margin ; ovi- 

 positor very faintly curved 

 2.2. Elytra and wings shorter than abdomen ; 

 ovipositor somewhat curved (posterior 

 femora totally unarmed beneath) . . 

 1.1. Side flaps of jjronotum with no inflated bubble ; 

 prosternum unarmed 



1. Xiphidium fuscum, Fabr. 



Delicate grass-green, with a dark dorsal stripe ; elytra and wings 

 surpassing apex of abdomen ; when at rest, wings slightly surpassing 

 the elytra ; ovipositor perfectly straight. Length of body, 12mm.- 

 15mm. 3- , 12mm. -19mm. ? ; of pronotum, 3mm. -4mm. 5" , 3-8mm.- 



1. FUSCUM, Fabr. 



2. THOKACicuM, Fisch. W. 



3. DOESALE, Latr, 



4. JiTHiopicuii, Thunb. 



