Short-winged or Hop-garden Earwig
Taxonomy
Dermaptera » Forficulidae » Apterygida media
Status
UK
Distribution Map
Colours show the year of the last record -
| up to 1987 | 1988-97 | 1998 up to present |
Only Recording Scheme datasets are included. Other datasets on the Gateway may hold additional information.
Recordings
Description
Reddish brown with yellow legs. Slightly smaller than the Common Earwig, and it is light brown all over. In contrast to the Common Earwig, the species also lacks a tooth on the inside of the pincers in both sexes. Females are very similar to Forficula lesnei.
Size
6 – 10 mm
Wings
Hind wings are only tiny lobes and it is flightless.
Food
Includes petals.
Habitat
Leaf litter in woodlands. It also climbs into trees and shrubs and may be found in flowerheads. Formerly common in hop gardens of Kent but have declined.
Phenology
Active all year around except during periods of frost. Adults present from August to September but they are nocturnal.