African Earwig vs Small Earwig
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | African Earwig | Small Earwig |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Forficula senegalensis | Apterygida media |
| Order | Dermaptera | Dermaptera |
| Family | Forficulidae | Forficulidae |
| Size | 10-16 mm | 7-10 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| 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.
Small Earwig
A small reddish-brown earwig found in woodland leaf litter across Europe. Males have strongly curved forceps while females have nearly straight ones.
Did You Know?
The dramatic difference in forceps shape between males and females is one of the most pronounced sexual dimorphisms among earwigs.