Earwigs
Order Dermaptera
20 speciesRecognizable by the forceps-like pincers (cerci) on their abdomen. Despite myths, earwigs do not enter human ears. Most are nocturnal omnivores.
Species in this Order
African Earwig
Forficula senegalensis
A small, dark brown earwig with distinctive curved cerci (pincers) at the tip of the abdomen. It is ...
Australian Giant Earwig
Titanolabis colossea
The largest living earwig species, reaching up to 50 mm long. It is a burrowing, wingless species fo...
Bat Earwig
Arixenia esau
A remarkable wingless earwig that lives exclusively in bat caves, clinging to the bodies and roostin...
Black Earwig
Chelisoches morio
A glossy black earwig with reddish legs commonly found in tropical regions. It is often associated w...
Common Earwig
Forficula auricularia
Nocturnal omnivore with distinctive forceps-shaped cerci. One of the few non-social insects to show ...
Hemiandrus Earwig
Hemimerus talpoides
A blind, wingless earwig that lives exclusively as a commensal on giant pouched rats. Its cerci are ...
Hop-Garden Earwig
Forficula lesnei
A small earwig closely related to the European earwig but distinguished by its shorter wing cases. I...
Japanese Earwig
Anechura harmandi
A montane earwig found in the mountains of Japan, known for extreme maternal care. Females guard egg...
Lesser Earwig
Labia minor
The smallest European earwig and one of the few that readily flies. It is often found in compost hea...
Maritime Earwig
Anisolabis maritima
A wingless earwig found in coastal habitats, living under driftwood and seaweed on beaches. It is da...
Pygmy Earwig
Diplatys flavicollis
A tiny tropical earwig with regenerative cerci that can regrow if broken....
Red-Legged Earwig
Euborellia stali
A dark wingless earwig with distinctly reddish legs, native to tropical Asia. It is commonly found i...
Ring-Legged Earwig
Euborellia annulipes
A wingless earwig identified by the pale bands on its dark legs. It is a cosmopolitan species often ...
Saint Helena Earwig
Labidura herculeana
Was the worlds largest earwig at 78 mm. Endemic to Saint Helena island. Not seen since 1967 and decl...
Shore Earwig
Anisolabis littorea
A large wingless earwig native to New Zealand, found under stones and driftwood on rocky coasts. It ...
Small Earwig
Apterygida media
A small reddish-brown earwig found in woodland leaf litter across Europe. Males have strongly curved...
Spine-Tailed Earwig
Doru aculeatum
A slender earwig found in cornfields and grassy habitats across eastern North America. It shelters i...
Striped Earwig
Labidura riparia
A large, pale sandy-brown earwig with dark longitudinal stripes, commonly found near water. It is on...
Tawny Earwig
Labidura truncata
A large Australian earwig with a tawny coloration and powerful forceps. It is a common garden specie...
Toothed Earwig
Spongovostox ghilianii
A large earwig with heavily toothed forceps found in southern European forests....