African Earwig vs Riffle Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | African Earwig | Riffle Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Forficula senegalensis | Elmis aenea |
| Order | Dermaptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Forficulidae | Elmidae |
| Size | 10-16 mm | 1.5-2.5 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Detritivores | Detritivores |
| Regions | East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Somalia) | Europe |
| 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.
Riffle Beetle
A tiny, dark beetle that spends its entire adult life underwater clinging to rocks in riffles. It breathes using a plastron, a permanent thin film of air.
Did You Know?
Its plastron air film never needs replenishing, allowing it to remain permanently submerged.