Apterygida media is a species of European earwig, known as the short-winged earwig or hop-garden earwig.[1]
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.[2] It is one of only four native species of earwig in the United Kingdom, although three further species have been introduced.[3] 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.[1] It may have arrived in Great Britain via a land bridge over the North Sea known as Doggerland.[1]
Apterygida media was first described by Jacob Johann Hagenbach under the name Forficula media. His description appeared in the 1822 work Latin: Insectorum Helvetiae.
Apterygida media has short wings and elytra. It is redidsh-brown in colour, with yellow legs.[1]
Apterygida media is thought to have been a common insect in the hop gardens of Kent until the introduction of pesticides.[1] It is now found chiefly in warm hedges and woodland edges, particularly on field maples (Acer campestre).[1]