Shore Earwig vs Japanese Earwig

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Shore Earwig Japanese Earwig
Scientific Name Anisolabis littorea Anechura harmandi
Order Dermaptera Dermaptera
Family Anisolabididae Forficulidae
Size 20-28 mm 12-18 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Mountains
Diet Omnivores Herbivores
Regions Oceania Asia
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.

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.