Earwigs are widely distributed insects, easily
recognized by the pincher-like organs that extend backwards from their goodies.
These pinchers are actually called forceps or cerci, and are used by the insect
for both defense and offense, as they are sometimes used to capture other
insects. The size and shape of the forceps vary with sex and species, with the
females usually being straighter, and the males more curved or caliper-like.
There are roughly fifteen species recognized
in the United States, but only four or five usually invade homes, Earwigs are
nocturnal creatures, scavenging at night for organic debris and other insects.
Occasionally they may damage living plants, but this is rare.
Some species possess wings and are capable of
flight, often much to the alarm of human witnesses. Most species are
gregarious, and readily accept earwigs from other nests into their own as if
they belonged there. Earwigs also possess an unusual habit that while they are
solitary insects, the mother guards and cares for both the eggs and young until
they area able to fend for themselves,
The name “earwig”,
which literally means “ear creature,” originated from the widespread
superstition that these insects crawl into ears of sleeping people. Moreover,
many individuals believed that once the earwig gained access into the human
ear, it could bore into the brain. Actually these insects do not crawl into the
human ear.
The most distinguishing characteristic of the
earwig is the claw-like forceps (or cerci) located on the end of the abdomen.
These forceps are straight-sided on most females, but are more pincer-like on
males. Earwigs use their forceps mainly as protective weapons, but they also
use them to capture prey.
Earwigs are active at night and hide during
the day in cracks and crevices. They are mainly scavengers and occasionally
feed on plants. The eggs are laid in burrows in the ground and most species
over-winter as adults.
There are twenty-two species of earwigs in the
United States, twelve of which have been introduced from other countries. Only
four or five are common pests which invade homes. We focus on the European
Earwig (Forficula auricularia L.),
which is the most prevalent earwig pest species in Pennsylvania. This earwig is
found throughout the United States and is considered one of the most important
earwigs since large numbers of them may seek shelter in homes and hence, they are a notorious household pest.
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