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European earwig

Forficula auricularia

Description:

With about 1800-2,000 species in 12 families, earwigs are one of the smaller insect orders; there are about 25 species in North America. They have characteristic forceps pincers on their abdomen, and membranous wings folded underneath short forewings. Earwigs rarely use their flying ability. They are nocturnal and often hide in small, moist crevices during the day. They are active at night, feeding on a wide variety of insects and plants. Many earwig species display maternal care, which is uncommon among insects. Female earwigs may care for their eggs, and even after they have hatched as nymphs will continue to watch over offspring until their second molt. As the nymphs molt, sexual dimorphism such as differences in pincer shapes begins to show.

Habitat:

Earwigs are found throughout the Americas, Africa, Eurasia, Australia and New Zealand.

Notes:

Inspired by KarenL, I have begun looking under rocks, too. Can’t say the insects are my favorite but they are interesting. And according to Wikipedia, earwigs may indeed occasionally crawl into the human ear canal (much like any other small organism) – yech!

1 Species ID Suggestions

European Earwig
Forficula auricularia European Earwig - Forficula auricularia - BugGuide.Net


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4 Comments

Maria dB
Maria dB 11 years ago

Thanks, Jacob!

Jacob Gorneau
Jacob Gorneau 11 years ago

Nice spotting, Maria!

Leuba Ridgway
Leuba Ridgway 12 years ago

I am much too scared to look under rocks - not around where I live anyway ! but I might have to, to find creatures interesting as this one. I've only ever seen plain boring black earwigs - nice one Nopayahnah !

KarenL
KarenL 12 years ago

It's not often I get called a role model!
Better under a rock than in your ear!

Maria dB
Spotted by
Maria dB

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA

Spotted on Feb 18, 2012
Submitted on Feb 19, 2012

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