Insects: Orthoptera

Summary

The following account of the Orthoptera of Cambridgeshire is based upon the collection made by the late Rev. L. Jenyns, and most of the specimens referred to are to be found in the collection, left by him to the Cambridgeshire Philosophical Society. A few other localities have been added, based upon recent captures recorded in the magazines.

DERMATOPTERA

Family Forficulidae

Labia minor, L. Common in the summer, often seen on the wing in company with Staphylinidae, over flower beds and dungheaps.

Forficula auricularia, L. Abundant everywhere (Jenyns). Var. forcipata, Steph. “Not uncommon at Bottisham in harvest time, in sheaves of wheat” (Jenyns).

Apterygida media, Hagenb. “Cambridge, Prof. C. C. Babington.” This is an exceedingly rare species; it has, in fact, been only recorded on two other occasions in Great Britain; Westwood took it at Ashford, and Mr James Edwards has taken it near Norwich.

DICTYOPTERA

Family Blattidae

Stylopyga orientalis, L. Swarms in houses.

(Periplaneta Australasiae, Fabr., another introduced species, is plentiful in the Palm-houses and warm pottingsheds in the Cambridge Botanic Gardens; it is also very probable that some at least of the three British Ectobiidae occur, but records of captured Orthoptera in the county are few and far between.)