94 EPPING FOREST
aquatic larvae, each in its own specially constructed
tubular dwelling, are common in pools and streams ;
the beautiful Lace-winged Flies (Hemerobiidae) so
commonly to be beaten out of the trees and bushes,
where the larvae have battened on the Aphides ;
and the active Scorpion Flies (Panorpidae), formid-
able-looking but harmless; the two British species
Panorpa communis and germanica are common in
our woods and hedgerows.
Nor will space allow of more than a passing
reference to the families of Hemiptera, abundant
as they are in the forest. Among the true
Hemiptera (Heteroptera) we find many examples
of the brightly coloured and active Plant-bugs
(Pyrrhocoridae and allied families), the Water-bugs
including the Water-boatmen (Notonectidae) and
the Water-scorpion (Nepa cineraria) frequent in
sluggish streams. In the sub-order Homoptera
are the active Frog-hoppers (Cercopidae) connected
in popular lore with the cuckoo; countless hordes
of Plant-lice (Aphidae) ; and the very curious little
" Powder-flies," Aleyrodidae, several species of
which are common among the beeches, and which
were formerly mistaken for moths.
Among the Orthoptera, the Crickets (Gryllidae)
and the Grasshoppers (Acridiidae) must be left to
chirp their own praises, and there are several
species to join in the chorus. Every one knows
the Earwig, but there is a small species, Labia
minor, which is commonly seen flying in the hot
sunshine along roads or near farmyards. At
least one species of Cockroach (Blattidae) is found
in the forest, Ectobia lapponica, which often comes
to " sugar" spread on trees to attract Noctuae;
and but few can have failed to notice the pretty
little Locustid, Meconema varium, pale green in
colour, and with long graceful antennae, and very
capable hind-legs, which is often seen on trunks,
or is beaten from the oaks and hornbeams in the
late summer by collectors of caterpillars.
We have left the Beetles (Coleoptera) until the
last; it would be impossible in a few paragraphs
to give an adequate idea of the varied forms of