An Elementary Manual of New Zealand Entomology

ng a rudimentary glance at the anatomy and classification of insects; after which I think the reader wil

a definition of what

t is furnished with three pairs of legs, and generally has two pairs of wings, and to acquire this structure the creature passes through several changes, t

st of two large hemispheres, composed of a great number of hexagonal divisions, each of which is a complete eye in itself. The latter (s

ach side of the head, between the eyes; their functions are at pres

other like scissor blades; the maxill? (2 2), or under jaws, resembling the mandibles, but more delicately constructed, and furnished with a pair of jointed appendages termed maxillary palpi (5 5); and the labium (4), or lower lip, consisting of a horny plate somew

espectively, and the under the prosternum, mesosternum, and metasternum; other divisions exist in some insects, but they are not of a sufficiently general character to be noticed here. The six leg

antenna; c, compound eyes; m, mandible; s, simple eyes; b, prothorax; d, mesothorax; k, metathorax; 1W, for

. 2): 1, mandibles; 2, maxill?; 3, labrum; 4, labium; 5, maxillary palpi; 6, labial palpi; 8, ?sophagus

notum; they consist of two membranes travers

ome of which are not infrequently wanting. It contain

triculus (12); the biliary vessels (13 13 13); the ilium, or little gut (14 14); and the colon (15); ending in the anus (16). In the suctorial tribes, the crop is modified into a very peculiar organ, termed the sucking stomach, whi

al vessel. It is composed of a variable number of chambers, the blood being driven forward t

merous minute air-tubes, which are supplied with air from a variable numbe

tral surface of the insect, and analogous to the spinal cord of higher

oned as one of their most essential attributes, consists of

re deposited by the parent with unerring instinct on substances suitable for the food of the lar

almost exclusively in feeding, the insect growing at a gr

otion, except, perhaps, a slight twirling of its abdomen. Exceptions to this rule occur, however

nsect appears under its final form, w

t elements in the entomologist's preliminary education. I trust that by a careful perusal of the following definitions, aided by references to the Pla

I.-COL

with or without legs, but a distinct head always present. The pupa inactive, taking no food, the limbs of the future insect enclosed in distinct cases

I.-HYME

mouth masticatory, the maxill? and labium being elongated, in many of the families, into a long sucking instrument or "tongue." Metamorph

III.-D

va without legs, a distinct head being often absent. The pupa inactive, the limbs of the imago firmly attached to the body, but plainly visible. Among the majority of species included in this Order the larval skin is not cast away, but envelopes the insect i

V.-LEPI

es the whole mouth and alimentary canal are more or less obliterated, a considerable number of the species taking no food in their final state. The larv? always possess a distinct head and six thoracic legs, and in addition a variable number of prolegs

V.-NEU

developed. Larva with a distinct head and three strong thoracic legs; chiefly carnivorous. Pupa inactive; the limbs very perceptible and lo

I.-ORTH

ture insect, the metamorphosis merely consists of a series of moultings, and it is consequently a matter of some difficulty to determine when the insect is full-grown. This Order is of small extent; it includes the Earwigs, Cockroaches, Grasshoppe

II.-HEM

mouth suctorial, consisting of an elongate rostrum, enclosing four fine set?. The larva and pupa resemble the imago, the latter being active, with rudimentary wings. In a few instances, a slight diver

to be considered are the Group

of a number of kindred families. They are of great assistance to the student

er of allied genera, and Genera, i

much divided in opinion as to the correct limits of these divisions. Much diversity also prevails with respect to the proper definitions of Genera and even Species