Hop-garden Earwig
species of infraorder “Earwigs“
1 species
Apterygida media, also known as the Mediterranean earwig, is distributed from southern Sweden to Greece, and from Portugal to Ukraine. It is one of the four native species of earwigs in the UK and is mainly found in the southeast, particularly in East Kent, Essex, and Suffolk. The species has short wings and elytra, and is reddish-brown in color with yellow legs. It was once common in the hop gardens of Kent but is now seen mostly in warm hedges and woodland edges, specifically on field maples.
![Hop-garden Earwig – No. 1](/katalog/gliederfuesser/insekten/ohrwuermer/gebueschohrwurm/feature_hubb87ffdcca1ac141d4cdd4688b3dfa73_767704_1320x0_resize_q75_box.jpg)
Distribution#
The distribution of A. media ranges from southern Sweden in the north to Greece in the south, and from Portugal in the west to Ukraine in the east. It is one of only four native species of earwig in the United Kingdom, although three further species have been introduced. In the United Kingdom, it is only found in the south-east, which has the most continental climate. It is widespread in East Kent, and is also found in Essex and Suffolk. It may have arrived in Great Britain via a land bridge over the North Sea known as Doggerland.
Taxonomy#
Apterygida media was first described by Jacob Johann Hagenbach under the name Forficula media. His description appeared in the 1822 work Insectorum Helvetiae.
Description#
Apterygida media has short wings and elytra. It is redidsh-brown in colour, with yellow legs.
Ecology#
Apterygida media is thought to have been a common insect in the hop gardens of Kent until the introduction of pesticides. It is now found chiefly in warm hedges and woodland edges, particularly on field maples (Acer campestre).
External links#
Media related to Apterygida media at Wikimedia Commons
Apterygida media, also known as the Mediterranean earwig, is distributed from southern Sweden to Greece, and from Portugal to Ukraine. It is one of the four native species of earwigs in the UK and is mainly found in the southeast, particularly in East Kent, Essex, and Suffolk. The species has short wings and elytra, and is reddish-brown in color with yellow legs. It was once common in the hop gardens of Kent but is now seen mostly in warm hedges and woodland edges, specifically on field maples.
Ancestry Graph
Further Information
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