A HISTORY OF ESSEX 



Owing to the unsatisfactory condition of natural history nomencla- 

 ture and the frequent mistakes made by early writers and observers 

 many ancient records are of more than doubtful value, and where any 

 such have been used the authorities for them have been given, but as a 

 rule they have been ignored. 



All reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and 

 completeness, and insufficient and unsatisfactory as some of the lists are, 

 it is yet hoped that on the whole they will compare not unfavourably 

 with those of other counties, and that they very fairly represent the 

 extent of our knowledge at the present day. 



ORTHOPTERA 



Our list of British Orthoptera is a very short one, and of the few 

 recorded as having been met with a large proportion must be regarded 

 as casual immigrants or naturalized foreigners. In Essex little attention 

 seems hitherto to have been paid to these insects, but those named below 

 have been identified in the Colchester district, and doubtless several more 

 will be found there and elsewhere in the county when they are 

 sytematically sought for. 



FORFICULARIA 



Earwigs 



The Lesser Earwig (Labia minor] may occasionally be found in 

 some numbers in manure heaps, but does not generally obtrude itself 

 upon our notice after the manner of its larger relative. 



The Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia) is much too common, 

 and is one of the most troublesome insect pests we have, as scarcely any- 

 thing comes amiss to it in the way of food, and no place seems to be 

 secure from its invasion. It varies considerably, especially in the length 

 of the forceps, and formerly some of its varieties were described as 

 distinct species. 



Forficula /esnei, Finot., has only recently been identified as British, 

 though it probably existed previously as an old inhabitant under another 

 name. It is far from common, but seems to be well distributed and may 

 be beaten from trees and bushes and shaken out of rubbish in damp 

 places. 



BLATTODEA 



Cockroaches 



FjCtobiida. Ectobia panzeri, Steph., is not uncommon in several 

 places on our coast sands. The variety nigripes, Steph., is of much less 

 frequent occurrence. 



Pbyllodromiidez. Phyllodromia germanica, L., was formerly excessively 

 abundant in one of the principal hotels in Colchester, where it was said 

 to have been introduced in officers' luggage. Mr. G. F. Mathew 

 reports it as common at Dovercourt. 



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