Earwig

Distribution: Cosmopolitan

Size Length: Up to 16 mm

Weight: 2–5 g

Life Span: 1–3 years

Diet: Omnivore

Social life: Gregarious when juvenile, solitary when adult

IUCN red list status: Not evaluated





This insect is characterised by having 3 pairs of legs, 3 segment body divisions, 1 pair of antenna, front and hind wings. It also has a very characteristic and prominent pincers or forceps (large cerci) on the end of the abdomen. On females the pincers are fairly straight, while male pincers are more curved. These pincers are used as both offensive and defensive weapons.

The common earwig has a dark reddish-brown colour with the head being reddish and the legs yellow to brown.

More active at night, it is mostly a scavenger but can also eat a great variety of plants.

Female earwigs lay from 30 to 55 eggs and take avid care of their offspring protecting the “nest” (usually small and moist burrows or cavities) and gathering food.

Native to Europe it was, for example, introduced in North America in the early 1900's and is now thought to be worldwide distributed. In some places it is considered to be a household pest although it is virtually harmless to people.

Its name comes from an old myth that states earwigs would crawl into people ears during night-time while they were asleep. This is known not to be true.