November, 1889.] 417 



4. — Stenobotkrtts bicoloe, Charp. (figs. 3, 4, 5). 

 Gryllus bicolor, Charpentier, Horse Ent., p. 161. 

 Locusta vittata, miniata, biguttula, mollis, JusmorrJioidalis, rhomboidea, 



varipes, venosus, Steph., Mandib., vi, pp. 25 — 28. 

 Stenobothrus variabilis, Fischer, Orth. Eur., p. 342, tab. xvi, figs. 7, 



7« — d. 

 Stenobothrus bicolor, Brunner, Prod, der Eur. Orth., p. 120, fig. 28 G. 



Colour variable, usually fuscous with paler and darter markings, sometimes green 

 reddish-purple, or almost black. Head with the foveolse of the vertex well marked ; 

 antennas of equal length in both sexes. Vertex triangular ; frons with the median 

 sulcus deep, and extending further up in $ than in $ . Pronotum with the cross 

 furrow nearer the anterior than the posterior border (fig. 3), lateral ridges sharply 

 angled rather behind the middle of the anterior part of the pronotum, diverging 

 towards the anterior and posterior borders. Elytra reaching beyond the apex of the 

 abdomen, with the mediastinal area dilated near the base ; scapular area in $ with 

 the transverse veins much bent and joining one another, sometimes forming a spurious 

 vein, often occupied by a whitish streak ; anterior radial area (fig. 5, a r ar) not 

 dilated in $ , anterior and middle radial veins running very straight. Wings hyaline, 

 sometimes slightly smoky towards the apex. Posterior femora testaceous, fuscous, 

 sometimes green or reddish-purple, or yellow beneath, with a black streak inside at 

 the base ; posterior tibiae testaceous or ferruginous. Abdomen dark fuscous at the 

 base above, apex frequently red in $ , below yellow or pale fuscous, sometimes 

 darker. Valves of the ovipositor without an external tooth. Length, 14—24 mm. 



This species is very abundant all over the country. I have found 

 it commonest round the. sea coast, and often hundreds may be seen on 

 a sunny bank or waste place. It does not occur in woods. 



Much confusion has existed between this species and the closely 

 allied St. biguttulus, Linne, and a large part of the older literature 

 about biguttulus ought probably to be referred to this species, 

 which is much commoner and much more widely distributed. 

 Brunner, in distinguishing between them, says biguttulus differs 

 from bicolor in that the elytra of ^ have the marginal vein stronger, 

 fuscous, and at the apex at its junction with the radial vein has a 

 fuscous patch ; the externo-medial (ant. rad.) area is dilated by the 

 bending of the anterior and middle radial veins ; and the cross veins 

 in this area are closer together ; and in $ the cross veins of the scapu- 

 lar area are not confluent. He also says biguttulus occurs in woods 

 and bicolor in the open. 



I have not been able to find biguttulus, L., in this country, but 

 there seems no reason why it should not occur here. 



Of the green form, mollis, Charp., and the reddish-purple one, 



purfurascens, Eieb., I have several specimens. 



oo 



