In this issue of high-value definitive stamps, we show four local insects of the orders Odonata and Orthoptera. Together with that of the low-value definitive stamps released in 1985 it seeks to record and capture on stamps some of the insects living in Singapore.

Cricket ($1) Species: Homoeoxipha lycoides (Walker

Order: Orthoptera

Family: Trigonidiidae

A tiny but colourful cricket, common on wet grasses and low foliage, the male has a glassy mirror-like forewing by which it chirps to attract females, The female is usually smaller and rather beetle-like, though a long-winged form occurs. The male shown here is about 9 mm. long.

Grasshopper ($2) Species: Traulia azureipennis (Serville)

Order: Orthoptera

Family: Acrididae

This is one of the commonest forest grasshoppers found in Singapore and widespread in lowland South-east Asia. It lives in shady undergrowth and is hard to see as the black and yellow markings on its body and legs break its outline. Once in flight, it is easily spotted as the spread hindwings are a brilliant azure blue. Like most other grasshoppers, it feeds on leaves and has been seen to eat the fronds of young palm seedlings. The male measuring 25mm long is shorter than the female which is 33mm.

Dragonfly ($5) Species: Trithemis aurora Burmeister

Order: Odonata

Family: Libellulidae

The shocking-pink body and red-veined wings of the male make this common dragonfly unmistakeable. The species ranges from india to the Phillippines and south to Java. Its wing-spread is about 6 сm.

Longhomed Grasshopper ($10) Species: Scambophyllum sanguinolentum (Westwood)

Order: Orthoptera

Family: Tettigonildae

This jungle grasshopper is probably very common in South-east Asia, but is rarely seen because it lives high in the forest canopy. It is characterised by its brilliant hindwings which curve like an umbrella. Its young ones, wingless and spotted with iridescent blue, are more likely to be seen than the adults. They have very long and spectacular antennae which may be five to six times as long as their body. Very little is known of the diet of these jungle grasshoppers but they are presumed to feed on the leaves of forest trees. Their body length is about 25 mm long.