Spine-Tailed Earwig vs African Earwig
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Spine-Tailed Earwig | African Earwig |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Doru aculeatum | Forficula senegalensis |
| Order | Dermaptera | Dermaptera |
| Family | Forficulidae | Forficulidae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 10-16 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Woodlands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Detritivores |
| Regions | North America | East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Somalia) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Spine-Tailed Earwig
A slender earwig found in cornfields and grassy habitats across eastern North America. It shelters in the leaf whorls of corn and other tall grasses.
Did You Know?
Farmers consider this earwig beneficial because it preys heavily on corn earworm eggs and aphids in crop fields.
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.