THE ORTHOPTERA OF GUERNSEY. 



BY MR. W. A. LUFF. 



The order Orthoptera consists for the most part of large 

 sized insects, some of them, in tropical countries, being the 

 largest of all insects. Their wings, when at rest, are folded 

 longitudinally upon the body, and present a straight outline ; 

 for this reason they have received the name of Orthoptera, 

 which literally means " straight- winged." They have four 

 wings, the upper pair being of a leathery nature, provided 

 with numerous long nervures. The hind wings are membran- 

 aceous and have numerous long nervures and short cross 

 nervures, so that they fold up something like a fan, and are 

 completely covered and protected by the upper pair. The 

 jaws are formed for biting, and are similar to those of the 

 Coleoptera. A very important characteristic which separates 

 them from the Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera and other 

 orders is that they undergo what is called an incomplete 

 metamorphosis. Their young, in the early stages of their 

 existence, resemble the parents in form, the wings being the 

 only part absent ; these do not become fully developed until 

 the insect reaches maturity. 



The Orthoptera are very numerous in species, the number 

 in the whole world being stated as over 10,000. Of these, 

 however, only about 40 have been taken in the British Islands. 

 In Guernsey I have found only 14 species. 



The order has been divided into three tribes, viz. : — The 

 Euplexoptera, the Cursoria, and the Saltatoria. 



The Euplexoptera, or Ear-wigs, were until recently classed 

 in a separate order. In Guernsey I have only found one 

 species, Forficula auricularia, which is well known and 

 abundant everywhere. The name of " earwig " has been 

 given to the insect from the idea that it has the habit of 

 penetrating into the ears of persons when asleep, but I have 

 never heard of a case where they have actually done so. 



The female earwig, unlike the majority of insects, broods 

 over her eggs, and, when hatched, shows a fondness for her 

 young, carefully protecting them from their enemies. 



