OCR Text |
Show 1894.] HEMIPTERA-HETEROPTERA OF GRENADA. 169 A large number of specimens of the HYDROBATIDAE were found, but represent only four species. They were met with more especially near the sea-coast on the flat lands and marshes. A form closely related to Rheumatobates adds another to the growing list of these remarkable insects. It is a matter of regret that only one mature and winged specimen of this curious form was taken, and it is unfortunate that no observations were made respecting its mode of life and the peculiarities of its habitat. The pale and membranous character of its wing-covers give it the appearance of a small and slender wasp, so that this peculiarity of aspect might be of some service in protecting it from enemies which it must meet with in the water where it dwells. The other palustrine and aquatic forms here enumerated are mostly common species which have an extensive distribution throughout the regions between Northern Brazil and the southern United States. The presence of only two species of Corisa seems remarkable in a region where shallow placid and sluggish waters abound and form such suitable homes for this type of insect. It is also difficult to account for the absence of a large number of forms of Galgulus, Mononyx, and Notonecta. These hardy insects abound in just such places as are mentioned above; as for example on the marshes, turbid sands, about the slime on the borders of sluggish waters, and among the roots of grass and slender plants in wet places. In comparing this assemblage of species with that of the island of St. Vincent, the differences between them do not seem sufficient to warrant their separation into two faunas. The most divergent form from the general average is the remarkable Alydid, Darmistidus. This form was not among the collections from Grenada, and it is not like any that has yet been brought from any part of the American continent or its islands. This collection adds valuable information supplementary to our previous knowledge of the faunas of the Greater Antilles, Mexico, Central America, and Colombia ; but much further research will be required before w e can satisfactorily recognize the limits of the great areas of distribution of the Hemiptera south of the United States. PACHTCORID^E. AGONOSOMA, Lap. 1. AGONOSOMA FLAVOLINEATA, Lap. Agonosoma fiavolineata, Lap. Hemipt., Mag. de Zool. ii. p. 69. Examples of this species were collected at Balthazar, April 6, at an elevation of 250 feet above the sea, from foliage along the road, on dry ground, in woods of second growth. On April 30 a specimen came to the light at night. Other specimens were found on the L a Force estate, August 17, on open damp ground under piles of weeds. O n the Caliveny estate they were swept, September 17, from herbage on low open ground. |