Re: [Adastra] Phaneroptera falcata at Hastings CP

[Patrick Roper]

I think it unquestionably refers to the tail of the beast.  The specific name ‘falcata’ means ‘sickle-shaped’ and derives from the Latin ‘falx’ which means, surprise, surprise, ‘a sickle’.  As well as the female, the male has a small sickle-shaped appendage (ovipositor envy?) – see here:   http://www.david.element.ukgateway.net/grasshoppersandcrickets14sickle-bearingbushcrickets1_files/image008.jpg   Patrick Roper From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 18 August 2006 12:35 To: adastra@lists.sxbrc.org.uk Subject: Re: [Adastra] Phaneroptera falcata at Hastings CP   There may be some very clever entomologically, taxonomically intriguing reason why it is called sickle bearing but I assumed it was because its final abdominal segment was curved like a sickle.   But assumption can be a dangerous thing...any more academic reasons very welcome!!   See pics of the sickle shaped abdominal segment on the RX wildlife site http://rxwildlife.org.uk/2006/08/11/sickle-bearing-bush-cricket/   Cheers Henri   From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Linda Sent: 18 August 2006 12:01 To: Adastra discussion group Subject: Re: [Adastra] Phaneroptera falcata at Hastings CP Hi all- I'll give in & ask the question thats bothering me, in the hope that someone has the (probably simple) answer, so that I can get the animal fixed in my mind... why 'sickle?'  which bit of the animal does it refer to? many thanks- Lin. On 8/17/06, [EMAIL PROTECTED] < [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:  Hi everyone, Here are some interesting comments from John Paul, our County Otrthoptera Recorder on the Phaneroptera falcata at Hastings including tips on where to look for more.

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