Page:VCH Surrey 1.djvu/211

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INSECTS Forest, Hampshire, and it was long thought to be peculiar to that district. This insect was however captured in Surrey about 1865 by Mr. Charles Barrett in Frillinghurst Wood near Chiddingfold, and I possess this specimen. I have not however been able to secure other examples, though several unavailing visits have been made to that locality. Pos- sibly the wrong season for the disclosure of the imago was chosen. It can hardly be considered extinct in the county of Surrey. MEMBRACID^E Fiend-flies This family is largely represented in the Old World, with the singular exception of the continent of Europe, which at present is re- ported to afford science only four or perhaps five species, and these are confined to the section Centrotidee. Great Britain counts for two of these species Centrotus cornutus, Linn., and Gargara genistce, Kirsch. The first of these species is indigenous to Surrey but is not common. From the horned character of the pronotum and its grotesque appearance, it is known in France as le petit diable. Perhaps no examples in all ento- mology can vie with the family of Membracidae as to the variation of form shown by adaptation to certain unknown circumstances of environ- ment. The contortions of the upper thorax are marvellous to behold. FULGORID^E Lantern-flies The remarks made as to size of the Cicadince will apply to the Fulgoridce of Great Britain. Though numerous in Surrey the species are small, and at first sight would seem to be no representatives of the great lantern-fly of China and northern India. Issus coleoptratus^ Geoff., may be taken at Shiere near Godalming ; Cixius cunicularius, Linn., at Haslemere ; also C. similis at Woking, and probably C. pilosus. DELPHACID^E These insects are numerous and much affect the grass lands. The species of the sub-family are included in the genera, Asiraca, Delphax, Cbloriona, Liburnia^ Stiroma and Achrotyle. Many of these insects require a microscope to show their special characters. CERCOPIM; Frog-hoppers Typical insects are represented in Surrey by the pretty little crimson- coloured Triecpbora vu/nerata and by the larger kinds of frog-hopper, Aphrophora alni and A, sa/icis, all of which may be found on the marsh- lands near Godalming. Philcenus spumarius, or common cuckoo-spit, sometimes swarms on the trees so as to make it a misery to sit under them. Many thousands of the adult insects after they have left their 169