NOTES OF OBSERVATIONS 
OF 
INJURIOUS INSECTS 
AND 
COMMON CROP PESTS 
During 1886. 
CABBAGE, &c. 
Earwigs. Forficula borealis^ Leach. 
The presence of Earwigs to such an unusual amount as to cause 
serious injury to some field crops and very widespread annoyance has 
been reported from various localities respectively in Kent, Bucking¬ 
hamshire, Bedfordshire, and Wilts. 
Prof. Westwood has recorded that these insects sometimes appear 
in immense profusion, notably in the year 1755, when they destroyed 
fruit and flowers, and “ even cabbages ” ; and the outburst of the last 
summer appears to have been a very similar case, as, besides damage 
to various kinds of plants or crops, including amongst them injury to 
the leafage of an experimental cro|) of Tobacco, they were especially 
reported as injurious to plants of the Cabbage tribe, as Thousand¬ 
headed Kale, Kohl Eabi, and Turnips. 
As far as I could judge, from specimens sent, the special kind of 
Earwig present was the Forjicula borealis of Leach, but very likely the 
F. auricularia was also present. 
On Aug. 6th Mr. James Long, of Oldfield, Henlow, Biggleswade., 
wrote (with specimens accompanying) regarding the damage caused in 
one of his Turnip and Kohl Eabi fields by the prevalence of Earwigs. 
He mentions this plague of Earwigs as quite new to him, and one 
which, whilst it has become of serious and threatening importance, he 
can in no way account for or alleviate. 
“ The insects are in great numbers in many parts of the field, and 
quite destroying many of the plants, especially where the chalk is 
B 
