denizens of the tropics in their gigantic size and striking appearance. They may be conveniently divided into the three following groups:-The Aquatic group, or those whose larv? inhabit the

quatic group, as these exhibit the g

tic

Libellu

i (Plate XV., fi

is represented at Fig. 1a, the drawing having been taken from a singularly perfect exuvia, which I had the good fortune to discover, clinging to the stem of a fuchsia-tree in a swamp, the rent through which the perfect in

he anal extremity, from which the insect takes its name. Her abdomen is also much stouter. My experience leads me

le possessing a pair of slender sickle-shaped hooks, attached to the end of her body. She may occasionally be seen depositing her eggs in stagnant streams, the abdomen being violently beaten against the surface of the water during the operation. I

Libel

s (Plate XV., fi

a week before the emergence of the perfect insect. In all these insects it would be much more convenient to regard the metamorphosis as consisting of only two stages, viz., larva and imago, as there is really no condition analogous to the quiescent pupa of other orders. The female is rather stouter than the male, which is the sex figured, and her abdomen is of a dull bronze colour, instead of metallic blue. The only other dragonfly found in m

Ephem

oloburus[20] (Plate XV

epresented in New Zealand, hovering in swarms

a long time before I succeeded in obtaining a single imago in captivity. When mature the insect leaves the water, and an apparently perfect imago escapes through a rent in the thorax in the usual way. In a few hours, however, a second moult occurs, the wings gaining additional size and beauty, and the anal set? becoming very much more elongated than before (Fig. 4). This second change, which has so perplexed some entomologists, is mer

y Per

na (Plate XVI.,

h we see flying feebly over running water,

ide of the abdomen are gills, which the larva is constantly vibrating, in order to obtain a fresh supply of a?rated water. When mature, it ascends the stem of some aquatic plant, the skin becomes dry and brittle, and finally bursting, allows the perfect insect to escape, and in a few

trial

y Pso

, n.s. (Plate XVI.

2), a curious little species, closely allied to the renowned "Book Tick" (Atropos pulsatorium), whose ravages in museums and libraries need no description. Its larva (2a) may be found in the same situations as the imago, and often assembles in simil

y Ter

te XVI., fig. 1 ♂, 1a ♀,

the tropics, are represented in New Zealand by several small speci

nd return to the nest, the female becoming very much distended with eggs. About March she commences to lay. This is continued for several months, and during this time the female is queen of the nest. She resides in a capacious chamber, from which numerous galleries diverge in all directions, some extending as far as eighteen or twenty inches, but the most populous portion of the nest is contained within a radius of six inches from the queen's apartment. The "soldiers" (Fig. 1b) now appear in considerable numbers. They are chiefly stationed in the royal chamber, and furiously attack any intruders; but the workers which stream in and out, carrying the eggs from the queen, they treat with the gr

y Bla

rtipes (Plate

s may be found in all stages of growth; the mature individuals only differing from the young in the matter of size and the possession of rudimentary wing-cases. I have never found the females of this species carrying their eggs, but have, on several occasions,

ced under the scaly bark of rimu and matai trees, but a sharp eye and hand are needed to effect a capture, the insect running with marvellous r

y Man

media (Plate X

and leaf-like form rendering it very inconspicuous to its victims. The purple spots on the tibi? of this insect are very noticeable, and resemble small drums in structure, hence they are regarded by Mr. A. H. Swinton ("Insect Variety," page 239), as the organs of hearing. These curious drums may be

y Pha

s horridus

ar to most people from their remarka

tomologist is collecting Lepidoptera in autumn. One of the commonest species found in this way is Bacillus (hookeri?) chiefly remarkable for its great sexual disparities, the male resembling a very slender stick about twenty-eight lines long, while the female is nearly half as long again (thirty-eight lines), and much more stoutly built. A more systematic investigation of this family is needed before we can pretend to

with considerable rapidity, frequently casting their skin, a task of no easy accomplishment, which I once had the pl

en splits along the back of the thorax, and the head and thorax are gradually pushed out. The front and middle legs are immediately afterwards extracted, the long femora and tibi? easily passing the sharp angles in the exuvia, owing t

little animals, their antics when simulating inanimate twigs being often most amusing, and if the reader wishes to investigate a comparatively untouched branch

y Ach

nosa (Plate X

owing, probably, to some peculiarity of the climate which renders the place unsuitable for them. The larv? may be first observed about December, when they are often seen hopping about the vegetation. They are extremely obnoxious, devouring everything, and frequently entering houses, where they consume

sects appear in the imago state about March, and continue in great abundance until the end of su

y Gry

a (Plate XVIII., fig.

haracteristic of New Zealand. It is very abundant round Wellington, and may be occasionally taken under logs, &c., but is best procured from the hollow s

eces, until the tunnel is laid bare. On approaching an insect the first thing seen are two red threads, which are the antenn?, laid back as shown at Fig. 8. A deep notch is then cut into the trunk, some nine or ten inches below this point, and the piece bodily wrenched off. If the individual thus treated is a male he will cling firmly to the log, elevating his hind-legs in the air and biting viciously at anything within reach, but the females, in the majority of cases, endeavour to escape and hide themselves under the lea

thrust forwards, the claws being firmly inserted, so as to enable the insect to pull itself along. Travelling along the burrow

8) is a more attractive insect, her gracefully curved ovipositor and smaller head having a much more pleasing appearance than the terribly menacing jaws of her mate. Both sexes are able to give severe

y Gry

ricum (Plate

with the wing-cases, which the male insects may be seen vigorously rubbing together. The females are quite mute, and they may be also distinguished by possessing a short curved ovipositor at the end of the body. The peculiarly leaf-like shape of the insect and its bright green colour render its discovery among

d where they would be readily visible. Their flight is somewhat feeble for such large insects. Great care must be taken, when capturing speci

his species, but should imagine it wo

y Loc

ginalis (Plate

the middle of winter. Owing to its great abundance this species must inflict considerable damage on the grass, as it has taken up its quarters like the English grasshopper in the cultivated fields, where an unlim

he thorax, thus causing it to closely resemble the larval form of many of the winged

y Loc

scens (Plate X

open situations near Nelson, but is very rare in the Wellin

d allows its pursuer to get within a few yards of his prize before again making off. This habit renders the capture of a good series of th

ur, some individuals being dark green

xercise any harmful influence on agriculture. By some entomologists, however, it is regarded as only a variety of the renown

e perfect state I have never observed the larva. I can only conjecture that the insect

Euplex

Forfi

ttorea (Plate

very bold insect, and when disturbed will grasp a blade of grass, or other object, very firmly with its powerful

ure individuals can only be recognized by their large size, and the perfect development of their anal forceps. It is evidently erroneous to regard these as organs exclusively employed in opening and shutt

erneath a log or large stone, and after carefully smoothing it within, deposit the eggs at the bottom. These eggs are most faithfully guarded by the mother, which boldly attacks all intruders, and will suffer herself