cases the prey is secured, but sometimes it escapes, leaving the disappointed
enemy exhausted with his warlike exertions. In a
similar way it attacks S. merdaria..
S. merdaria, Fabr.—Both this and the last species are the
common Dung-flies of Europe; they are very abundant along the
roads and in the fields at St. Helena.
Fam. Geomyzidm.
Drosophila, Fall.
*D. repleta, Walk.—An extremely small Fly, very abundant near
streams of water, and in wet marshy places. I t is sometimes so
plentiful in such localities as to produce a sensation of choking, when
you inhale them in the act of breathing. It is general throughout
the Island.
Fam. Hippoboscida.
Hippobosca, Linn.
H. equina, Linn.—Known as the Horse-fly. This insect is rare
in the Island. Mr. Walker says ;r—“ Perhaps II. variegata is a
variety of this species.”
OjBDIR H eMIPTERA.
The Bugs are not largely represented; one very characteristic
species is, however, as well known in St. Helena as in most parts of
the world. Aphides are very abundant, many of them occurring
upon the native vegetation, and therefore well worthy of the attention
of future collectors.
Eight species of this Order have been examined by Mr. Walker ;
two are described as natives, and it is probable that two others may
also prove to be so.
Fam. Pentatomidee.
Rhaphigaster, De Lap.
R. prasinus.—A large green, garden Bug, whose disagreeable
odour soon denotes its proximity. I t is found in most gardens both
on the high and low lands.
Fam. Acanthida.
Acanthia, Fabr.
A. lectularia, Linn.—The common Bed Bug, found everywhere,
excepting where cleanliness prevails.
Fam. Scddidm.
Saida, Fabr.
*S. sp. ?—A black, plant Bug, taken from native vegetation on the
high land.
Fam. Fulgoridm.
Cixius, Latr.
#C. Sanctse helense, Stal.—A brown Bug or Beetle-like creature,
capable of considerable hopping power, found in gardens on the high
land.
Issus, Fabr,
I. coleoptratus, Fabr.
Fam. Aphididce.
Aphis, Linn.
* A. sp. ?—Taken from the branches and leaves of the native Redwood
trees growing on the high land, and described as follows by
Mr. W a l k e r “ Wingless, brown, very convex, a little longer
than broad; antennae, nectaries, and legs pale; antennae much
shorter than the body; nectaries very short; legs rather short.
Winged, green; head, antennae, disk of thorax, nectaries, tarsi, and
tips of femora and of tibiae black. Size of A. rumicisj and very like it
in structure.”
Many other species of aphides exist in the Island which have
not yet been collected.
Fam. Coccidm.
Coccus, Linn.
C. cacti, Linn.—Notwithstanding several introductions of the
Cochineal insect, and there being an abundance of the prickly-pear