Species map 30. Lesne's earwig. Sussex Orthoptera - Online Atlas
For ease of comparison with Haes and Harding (1997), records are shown as: pre-1970, 1970-1999 and as 2000 (onwards). The eventual aim is to update all maps as completely as possible with records for 2001 onwards, to show the status of Sussex orthopteroids in the first decade of the new millennium. Records shown for boundary squares may pertain to neighbouring counties.
Lesne's earwig, Forficula lesnei (Finot, 1887)
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pre-1970
please email additions, corrections or updates
1970-1999
2000 (onwards)
It is unusual to find this species without making a careful search. Beating seems to be the most reliable method. Searching hollow-stemmed umbellifers is also reported to work. Easily distinguished from the Common earwig by its smaller size, the shape of the male appendages and by the short wings which do not protrude from under the elytra. It is almost certainly under-recorded in Sussex. Deliberate searches in 1999 and 2000 yielded new localities - West Beach, Newhaven, on bramble; Pulborough, in woodland; Beeding Hill, beaten from hedge; Saltings Field, Upper Beeding, beaten from sloe; Whitehawk Hill, Brighton, beaten from damsons; Widewater, Lancing, beaten from elm; Shoreham, beaten from clematis. So far, though, searches away from the coast and South Downs have been unsuccessful.. Click here to see images of Lesne's earwig.