Shore Earwig vs Hop-Garden Earwig

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Shore Earwig Hop-Garden Earwig
Scientific Name Anisolabis littorea Forficula lesnei
Order Dermaptera Dermaptera
Family Anisolabididae Forficulidae
Size 20-28 mm 9-13 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Gardens
Diet Omnivores Detritivores
Regions Oceania Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Shore Earwig

A large wingless earwig native to New Zealand, found under stones and driftwood on rocky coasts. It has a shiny black body and stout cerci.

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Did You Know?

This earwig is highly adapted to coastal life and can survive being submerged by waves during high tide.

Hop-Garden Earwig

A small earwig closely related to the European earwig but distinguished by its shorter wing cases. It is found in southern European gardens and orchards.

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Did You Know?

This species was long confused with the European earwig and was only recognized as distinct in the early twentieth century.