91
Orthoptera in Essex 1999
ALAN WAKE
73 New Barn Lane, Prestbury, Cheltenham GL52 3LB
Very few records have been received for 1999, due in part to me taking several holidays abroad
during the summer months. However, an interesting summary of Orthoptera within the grounds of
Writtle Agricultural College (TL60) has been submitted by T. Gardiner, listing six species:
Pholidoptera griseoaptera
Metrioptera roeselii
Leptophyes punctatissima
Chorthippus brunneus
Chorthippus parallelus
Chorthippus albomarginatus
Dark Bush-cricket
Roesel's Bush-cricket
Speckled Bush-cricket
Field Grasshopper
Meadow Grasshopper
Lesser Marsh Grasshopper
The records for M. roeselii and C. parallelus arc new 5km records, and that for C. albomarginatus
a new 1 Okm location, further evidence that this insect is extending its range out from its traditional
coastal habitats. I believe the survey is ongoing, concentrating on earwigs and cockroaches this
coming year.
A colony of Long-winged Conehead Conocephalus discolor was located at Long Running in Epping
Forest (TQ434997), and a new 10km record for Slender Ground-hopper Tetrix subulata at Layer
Breton Heath (TL9418).
A related order to the Orthoptera is the Dermaptera (earwigs). British Wildlife 11(3) p. 212 reports
records of Lesne's Earwig Forficula, lesnei at Stebbing (TL62) and Short-winged Earwig Apterygida
media at Great Easton (TL62) and Felstead (TL72). The latter species is known primarily from
Suffolk and Kent; these records go some way to filling the 'Essex gap' which is probably a result of
under-recording.
Please note my new address; I shall be only too happy to receive any records during the coming
year!
Bush-cricket, linocut by Carl Borges
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 17 (2000)