Hermit Beetle vs Small Earwig

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Hermit Beetle Small Earwig
Scientific Name Osmoderma eremita Apterygida media
Order Coleoptera Dermaptera
Family Scarabaeidae Forficulidae
Size 25-35 mm 7-10 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Wood Feeders Detritivores
Regions Europe Europe
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

Hermit Beetle

A large, dark chestnut beetle that lives its entire life inside hollow old trees. It emits a strong fruity odor similar to apricots.

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Did You Know?

Most individuals never leave the tree they are born in, making them extremely poor colonizers.

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.

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Did You Know?

The dramatic difference in forceps shape between males and females is one of the most pronounced sexual dimorphisms among earwigs.