The family Forficulidae includes the "common earwigs," recognized by their elongated bodies and prominent cerci (pincers) used for defense and mating. They are mostly nocturnal and omnivorous, playing roles in both pest control and sometimes as garden pests.
- Belong to Dermaptera, the earwig order.
- Characterized by forceps-like cerci.
- Mostly nocturnal and omnivorous.
- Can be beneficial or minor garden pests.
*Forficulidae* are distinguished by their forceps-like cerci.
Earwigs in the family *Forficulidae* are primarily nocturnal.
The common earwigs belong to the order Dermaptera.
Forficula auricularia: The European Earwig
*Forficula auricularia* is the European earwig.
*Forficula auricularia* is native to Europe and introduced to North America.
The European earwig, Forficula auricularia, is native to Europe but widely introduced to North America. It has a reddish-brown, slender body about 12-15 mm long, with females exhibiting elaborate parental care.
- Scientific name: Forficula auricularia
- Native to Europe; introduced to North America
- Reddish-brown, 12-15 mm long
- Shows remarkable parental care for eggs and young
They help control pests but may also feed on plants.
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"type": "multiple-choice",
"prompt": "What is a notable behavior of Forficula auricularia females?",
"correct": ["Parental care for eggs and nymphs"],
"incorrect": ["Building communal nests", "Feeding young adult earwigs with regurgitated food"],
"answer": "Females show parental care for eggs and nymphs."
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They nip at leaves but rarely cause significant harm.
Seasonal pests.
Labidura riparia: The Greater Earwig
*Labidura riparia* is the Greater Earwig.
*Labidura riparia* prefers sandy and riparian habitats.
The Greater Earwig, Labidura riparia, can reach lengths up to 30 mm, making it one of the largest earwigs. It favors sandy or riparian environments and is a voracious predator, often hunting insect larvae and other small invertebrates.
- Scientific name: Labidura riparia
- Length up to 30 mm
- Prefers sandy, riparian habitats
- Predatory habits, consuming insect larvae and small invertebrates
Yes, *Labidura riparia* also exhibits parental care.
Yes, especially in soil and mulch.
*Labidura riparia* has a cosmopolitan distribution.
Euborellia annulata: The Ringed Earwig
*Euborellia annulata* is the Ringed Earwig.
*Euborellia annulata* is common in tropical/subtropical areas.
Euborellia annulata is a member of the Forficulidae family recognized for its dark, almost black body and subtle pale ring markings on the antennae. Unlike Forficula auricularia, this species is wingless and primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions. Often encountered in greenhouses, it can sometimes become a minor pest due to its feeding on young plants and seedlings.
- Scientific name: Euborellia annulata
- Dark, almost black body with pale ringed antennae
- Wingless adult
- Prefers tropical and subtropical climates
- Sometimes a greenhouse pest feeding on seedlings
No, adults are wingless.
*Euborellia annulata* can be pests in greenhouses and indoor nurseries.
Conclusion
Forficulidae earwigs, with their distinctive pincers and varied lifestyles, illustrate the complexity of the Dermaptera order. They range from the familiar Forficula auricularia to more specialized relatives like Euborellia annulata, adapting to diverse habitats worldwide.
- Distinctive pincers (cerci) mark members of the Forficulidae family.
- Forficula auricularia is a well-known common earwig with notable parental care.
- Other genera like Labidura and Euborellia showcase diversity in size, habitat, and behavior.