Striped Earwig vs Black Soldier Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Striped Earwig Black Soldier Fly
Scientific Name Labidura riparia Hermetia illucens
Order Dermaptera Diptera
Family Labiduridae Stratiomyidae
Size 16-26 mm 15-20 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Underground
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Oceania North America, South America, Central America, Asia, Oceania
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Striped Earwig

A large, pale sandy-brown earwig with dark longitudinal stripes, commonly found near water. It is one of the most widespread earwig species globally.

💡

Did You Know?

Striped earwigs are strong fliers and are frequently attracted to lights at night, unlike most earwig species.

Black Soldier Fly

A large, wasp-like fly with a shiny black body and translucent areas on the abdomen. Its larvae are extraordinarily efficient at converting organic waste into protein and fat.

💡

Did You Know?

Black soldier fly larvae can reduce food waste mass by 95 percent in days, and the resulting protein-rich larvae are increasingly farmed as sustainable animal feed.