Apterygida media explained

Apterygida media is a species of European earwig, known as the short-winged earwig or hop-garden earwig.[1]

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.[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]

Taxonomy

Apterygida media was first described by Jacob Johann Hagenbach under the name Forficula media. His description appeared in the 1822 work Latin: Insectorum Helvetiae.

Description

Apterygida media has short wings and elytra. It is redidsh-brown in colour, with yellow legs.[1]

Ecology

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]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Species account for Apterygida media . The Essex Field Club . 2011 . April 3, 2011 . April 17, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210417225428/https://www.essexfieldclub.org.uk/portal/p/Species+Account/s/Apterygida%20media . dead .
  2. Petr Kočárek . 2001 . Description of pre-imaginal stages of Apterygida media (Dermaptera: Forficulidae), with a key to nymphs of Central European Dermaptera species . . 32 . 1 . 93–97 . . 2011-04-03 . 2012-03-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120322062853/http://www1.osu.cz/orthoptera/kocarek/pdfs/Kocarek2001_03.pdf . dead .
  3. Web site: The Earwigs of the United Kingdom . Fabias Haas . 2009 . April 3, 2011.