Blue Striped Nettle Grub vs Common Earwig
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Blue Striped Nettle Grub | Common Earwig |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Parasa lepida | Forficula auricularia |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Dermaptera |
| Family | Limacodidae | Forficulidae |
| Size | 30-40 mm wingspan | 12-17 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Herbivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Myanmar) | Europe, worldwide (introduced) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Blue Striped Nettle Grub
A small moth with vivid green forewings edged in dark chocolate brown. The caterpillar is bright green with blue longitudinal stripes and bears venomous urticating spines that cause intense pain.
Did You Know?
The caterpillar's sting is so painful it is compared to a wasp sting, and the venomous spines can cause welts lasting several days.
Common Earwig
Nocturnal omnivore with distinctive forceps-shaped cerci. One of the few non-social insects to show maternal care — females guard and clean their eggs, and feed hatchlings.
Did You Know?
Female earwigs are devoted mothers — they guard their eggs for months, licking them regularly to prevent fungal infection, and continue caring for nymphs after hatching.