Plate XL. fig. 1.
ORDER: Orthoptera. SECTION: Saltatoria. FAMILY: Locustidæ.
GENUS. TRUXALIS, _Fabr._ Gryllus P. _Drury_.
TRUXALIS BRASILIENSIS. Elytris pallide fulvescentibus, vittâ
longitudinali mediâ virescenti, nigro irregulariter marginatâ, alis
hyalinis dimidio anali roseo. (Expans. Alar. 3 unc. 9 lin.)
SYN. Gryllus brasiliensis, _Drury, App. vol._ 2.
HABITAT: Rio Janeiro, Brazil.
{86}Head long, conical; the mouth seeming placed in the breast. Eyes
oblong, situated at the upper part near the extremity of the head; there
is also an ocellus placed between them on the under side, which is
observable in all those whose heads are shaped like this. Antennæ as long
as the head, and shaped like a three-edged sword. Thorax striped with
green, brown, and white. Abdomen light brown, and streaked with black at
top, but on the sides white. Tegmina light sand-coloured; having in the
middle a narrow longitudinal line, indented with green and black. Wings
transparent, and prettily dappled; being of a beautiful red colour next
the body, which becomes fainter as it approaches the disk of the wings.
Hind legs long, and formed for leaping; the others are short. Tibiæ
furnished with sharp spines.
Fabricius refers this figure to the Truxalis nasutus Linn. which is found
in Africa, and Mr. Smeathman also informed Mr. Drury that the species here
figured is found in Africa, in the savannahs, and that its flight is very
rapid. I have considered them on the contrary as specifically distinct.