Japanese Earwig vs African Earwig
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Japanese Earwig | African Earwig |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anechura harmandi | Forficula senegalensis |
| Order | Dermaptera | Dermaptera |
| Family | Forficulidae | Forficulidae |
| Size | 12-18 mm | 10-16 mm |
| Habitat | Mountains | Woodlands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Detritivores |
| Regions | Asia | East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Somalia) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Japanese Earwig
A montane earwig found in the mountains of Japan, known for extreme maternal care. Females guard eggs and first-instar nymphs in burrows under stones.
Did You Know?
Japanese earwig mothers sacrifice their own bodies as food for their young — the nymphs consume the mother after she dies.
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.