Spine-Tailed Earwig vs Bat Earwig

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spine-Tailed Earwig Bat Earwig
Scientific Name Doru aculeatum Arixenia esau
Order Dermaptera Dermaptera
Family Forficulidae Arixeniidae
Size 10-14 mm 15-25 mm
Habitat Farmland Caves
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions North America Southeast Asia, Borneo, Philippines
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

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.

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Did You Know?

Farmers consider this earwig beneficial because it preys heavily on corn earworm eggs and aphids in crop fields.

Bat Earwig

A remarkable wingless earwig that lives exclusively in bat caves, clinging to the bodies and roosting areas of naked bulldog bats. It has reduced eyes and modified forceps.

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Did You Know?

Arixeniidae and Hemimeridae are the only earwig families that are viviparous, giving birth to live young.