youth studying birds, plants and insects. Although his name was associated with
Orthoptera mainly in his latter years, (he died in 1917), it is likely that unpublished
records may still exist of his discoveries before the turn of the Century. He was the
author of the section on insects in the Victoria County History, published in 1903. With
regard to Orthoptera there were few details. Harwood makes the following general
comment: "In Essex little attention seems hitherto to have been paid to these insects, but
those named below have been identified in the Colchester District".
He then goes on to name the following species:
Stenobothrus rufipes - "seems to be fairly well distributed, but has not hitherto been
noticed in any great numbers'.
S.bicolor - "is very abundant in all directions and appears to be the commonest member
of the family".
S.elegans- "is considered scarce and local, but may sometimes be met with rather freely
on our coast sands in August".
Gomphocerus maculatus - "A pretty little species with clubbed antennae, much smaller
than any of the above, is common in dry places".
Tetrix bipunctatus - "frequently turns up unexpectedly, especially in open spaces in
woods, and would probably prove a common insect if systematically sought for".
Leptophyes punctatissima - "has been found near Colchester and is probably as generally
common throughout the County as it is in other parts of England".
Meconema varium - "generally common, especially about oak trees, from the boughs of
which it may be freely beaten in the Autumn. It is also frequently found in a semi-torpid
state on the boles of trees as soon as the nights become colder".
Xiphidium dorsale - "is considered rare in this Country but may be found in grassy places
especially on certain of our sea walls. In August 1899, two examples of a form with fully
developed wings and elytra were met with near Clacton-on-Sea, and one of them was
disporting itself in the air somewhat after the manner of a dragonfly". He and his son
B.S. Harwood disturbed and caught another, which was set free as its wings were
defective. They could meet with no more.
Locusta viridissima - Hints that it is common or familiar generally.
Thamnotrizon cinereum - "this large brown species is frequently found in nettles and other
herbage in the Autumn and in the larva stage earlier in the year- it is very plentiful in some
of the lanes about Colchester".
Platycleis grisea - "is very much more local and has so far only been found on the sea
coast among rest-harrow".
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