Japanese Earwig vs Maritime Earwig

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Japanese Earwig Maritime Earwig
Scientific Name Anechura harmandi Anisolabis maritima
Order Dermaptera Dermaptera
Family Forficulidae Anisolabididae
Size 12-18 mm 18-25 mm
Habitat Mountains Beaches & Coastal
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions Asia Europe, North America, Asia, Oceania
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.

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Did You Know?

Japanese earwig mothers sacrifice their own bodies as food for their young — the nymphs consume the mother after she dies.

Maritime Earwig

A wingless earwig found in coastal habitats, living under driftwood and seaweed on beaches. It is dark brown to black with robust forceps.

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Did You Know?

This earwig is one of the few insects adapted to the harsh intertidal zone, tolerating brief submersion in saltwater.