Small Earwig vs Hemiandrus Earwig
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Small Earwig | Hemiandrus Earwig |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Apterygida media | Hemimerus talpoides |
| Order | Dermaptera | Dermaptera |
| Family | Forficulidae | Hemimeridae |
| Size | 7-10 mm | 8-12 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Farmland |
| Diet | Detritivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Did You Know?
The dramatic difference in forceps shape between males and females is one of the most pronounced sexual dimorphisms among earwigs.
Hemiandrus Earwig
A blind, wingless earwig that lives exclusively as a commensal on giant pouched rats. Its cerci are modified into short, unsegmented claspers rather than the typical forceps.
Did You Know?
Unlike all other earwigs, Hemimerus gives birth to live young that develop inside the mother via a placenta-like structure.