94 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 
NOTES ON BRITISH ORTHOPTERA, 1920. 
By W. J.. Lucas, B.A., F.E.S. 
ForFIcULODEA (earwigs).—It is satisfactory to note that 
Labidura riparia, Pallas is still with us. On the shore near 
Southbourne, Hants, after a search of considerable length on 
August 31st, I succeeded in finding two examples. They were a 
nymph of pale colour in a well-advanced stage, and a large male 
imago perhaps slightly darker in colour than usual. The 
former when uncovered on the sand did not move, and it being 
of so pale a tint I did not notice it at first. The latter when 
exposed was on its back, and so it continued to lie as if dead; 
but when put into a box it turned its callipers over its back and 
assumed the ‘‘ threatening”’ attitude. Both were found under 
the usual conditions on a slope of soft sand near the foot of the 
cliff. The nymph seemed rather afraid of the male, so at home, 
wishing to observe them for a while, I thought it best to put 
them in separate receptacles. On August 31st a little cooked 
beef was given, which the nymph attacked at once; but the 
male assumed the ‘‘ threatening”’ attitude, though he shortly 
afterwards attacked his piece also. He was very ready to take 
up this peculiar attitude ; the nymph I noticed do so but once. 
On September 2nd the male ate ripe plum a little, but appa- 
rently did not care for it; the nymph I did not see touch it at 
all. Later in the day they both devoured boiled turbot—the 
nymph a little, the male a considerable amount. On September 
4th I gave them a little raw meat, which the nymph attacked 
readily : I did not see the male eat any, but on September 7th 
they both ate this provender readily. On September 10th I gave 
them some kipper, thinking that, from their habitat, fish would 
be suitable food; perhaps, however, the preservative in it was 
not to their liking, for they did not seem to care for it. 
With regard to Forficula auricularia, Linn. it would be of 
interest to make certain to what extent the male hibernates as 
well as the female. On October 10th (which, however, was not 
very late) I took a male in Juniper Valley, Boxhill, Surrey. 
On the North Downs between Newland’s Corner and Guildford 
I caught on October 17th one or two females, a rather pale- 
tinted male,.and somewhat to my surprise a nymph, which, 
however, was probably in its last stage. These were the last 
specimens I met with during the season. An example of the 
variety forcipata, Steph. was taken in the Royal Horticultural 
Society’s Gardens at Wisley, Surrey, in 1920 (Fox-Wilson), and 
a pronounced example of the same variety on July 21st at 
Blakeney Point, Norfolk (Green). : 
From H. Donisthorpe I received for inspection an example 
of Forficula auricularia devoid of callipers. This earwig he took 
by sweeping near Wokingham, Berks, on September 2nd, 1920. 
