Orthoptera and allied insects of Essex 2003
House Cricket Acheta domesticus (L.)
There were three records of Illis rare Essex species in 2003; from a light trap in Kirby-le-Soken
(TM22; Paul Bergdahl), Mary Smith's bath (TQ58) where it caused quite a stir in September, and
Basildon District Council Countryside Sendees offices, Wat Tyler Country Park (TQ7386; Barbara
Chapman). There have been very few recent sightings of this species in the county so these records
are most welcome.
Slender Ground-hopper Tetrix subulata (L.)
This species was recorded on 23rd March by Neil Harvey at Orsett Camp Quarry (TQ68) which is
one of the earliest Orthoptera records in the county for recent years.
Common Ground-hopper Tetrix undulata (Sowerby)
This widespread but overlooked species was recorded in one new 10km square in 2003 at Orsett
Camp Quarry (TQ68; N. Harvey & RR. Harvey).
Lesser Marsh Grasshopper Chorthippus albomarginatus (De Geer)
This species is now common throughout most of Essex after its range expansion during the 1980s
and 1990s away from its traditional stronghold on the coast. C albomarginatus continues to
colonise new habitats and was recorded in one additional 10km square in 2003 at Marks Hall
Arboretum (TL82).
Common Earwig Forficula auricularia (L.)
Easily the most frequently encountered Earwig species in Essex and to dale, it lias been sighted in
22 10km squares. There w ere 10 records in 2003 from six 10km squares mostly in the north-east
of the county.
Lesne's Earwig Forficula lesnei (Finot)
Three records by J.P. Bowdrey in 2003: Thorpe-le-Soken, at light (TM1722) on 26th February and
30th November, and at Wivenhoe Woods (TM0322) on 17* September. Forficula lesnei has now
been sighted in three 10km squares in the county and remains under-recorded.
Site lists
Four sites with at least seven species were identified during 2003 (Table 3). Neil Harvey observed
seven species at Abberton Reservoir which included several that are frequently encountered on the
Essex coast: C. albomarginatus, Short-winged Conehead Conocephalus dorsalis and M. roeselii.
Neil also visited Davy Down and recorded eight species which included both conehead species (C.
discolor and C. dorsalis). Eight species were also observed on an Essex Field Club field trip to
Hadleigh Castle Country Park, which included both Conehead species and the Essex Red Data List
species, T. viridissima. This downland area is probably the Essex stronghold for this scarce species
which is only infrequently sighted on the coast further north in the county. Both Neil Harvey and
Peter Harvey visited Orsett Camp Quarry in 2003 and identified eight species, including the range
expanding C. discolor, all three Chorthippus grasshoppers and both ground-hopper species (T.
subulata and T. undulata).
It is not uncommon to record eight or nine species of Orthoptera in a relatively small area (< 1km2)
in a short space of time (< 1 hour) as many species advertise their presence by loud bouts of singing
on warm, sunny days. It is more difficult to detect tree dwelling species such as Oak Bush-cricket
Meconema thalassinum which require a stout stick and beating tray to dislodge from branches or
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Essex Naturalist (New Series) 21 (2004)