Earwigs

Earwig. These long, glossy brown insects can be recognised by the characteristic pincers at the hind end of their body. Although they have wings, earwigs are usually reluctant to fly. Unlike most insects, a female earwig is a good mother. She lays 20-30 eggs and protects them through the winter. When they hatch, she feeds and tends the nymphs until they are able to fend for themselves.

Do earwigs really go into people's ears? And what on earth do they use their pincers for?

Found on all continents except for Antarctica are the nocturnal earwigs. Although not usually found within ear canals, their name comes…

Photo about Earwig Forficula auricularia, male specimen. Image of male, amazing, dermaptera - 30415525

With a simple scrap of cardboard, you can create a free trap in minutes to get rid of earwigs that are taking over your lawn and garden spaces.

Pest or prodigy? Here's what to know about the wide, wondrous world of earwigs, aka pincher bugs.

The common earwigs (Forficula auricularia) are very active lately. As soon as it gets darker they start to browse around in the Asters (A. novi-belgii). Prepared specimen. Focus stack based on 36 images (in studio, ISO100, f/10, 1/160sec, diffused flash), assembled in ZS (Dmap & Pmax), uncropped image, 24mm (1.5x on ff).

Earwigs make up the insect order Dermaptera. With about 2,000 species in 12 families, they are one of the smaller insect orders.

They don’t look like ears or wigs, so how did earwigs get their name? Find the answer (and some other facts about this pest) in this kid-friendly article on PestWorldForKids.

- Gil Wizen