African Earwig vs Pygmy Earwig
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | African Earwig | Pygmy Earwig |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Forficula senegalensis | Diplatys flavicollis |
| Order | Dermaptera | Dermaptera |
| Family | Forficulidae | Diplatyidae |
| Size | 10-16 mm | 6-10 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Detritivores | Detritivores |
| Regions | East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Somalia) | Africa, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
African Earwig
A small, dark brown earwig with distinctive curved cerci (pincers) at the tip of the abdomen. It is nocturnal and hides in dark crevices during the day.
Did You Know?
Mother earwigs exhibit remarkable maternal care, guarding their eggs and cleaning them to prevent fungal infection, then protecting the nymphs after hatching.
Pygmy Earwig
A tiny tropical earwig with regenerative cerci that can regrow if broken.
Did You Know?
Unlike most earwigs its cerci are segmented and can regenerate after autotomy.