# Earwigs (*Dermaptera*) Earwigs are small insects with pincers on their tails. They like to hide in dark, damp places and are often found in gardens. They are harmless and help keep gardens healthy by eating dead plants and pests. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Gardens ![Earwigs](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Cadeladefrade_045eue.jpg&width=800) Photo: Luis Miguel Bugallo Sánchez ( Lmbuga ) Copyright: GFDL ( GNU Free Documentation License ) Publicada por/ Publish by : Luis Miguel Bugallo Sá, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cadeladefrade_045eue.jpg) ## Appearance The Earwigs has a flattened, elongated body, typically reddish-brown to dark brown. Its most distinctive feature is a pair of prominent, pincer-like appendages called cerci at its rear, which vary in shape between sexes and species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Dermaptera - **Family:** Forficulidae ## Interesting facts - Baby earwigs, called nymphs, look just like tiny adults but without fully developed wings! - Despite their name, earwigs do not try to crawl into human ears! - Mother earwigs meticulously clean their eggs to prevent fungus from growing on them. - Some earwigs can spray a foul-smelling liquid to scare away hungry predators. ## Special abilities - **Pincer Power:** Earwigs has strong pincer-like cerci that help them defend against predators and even catch small prey. - **Stealth Squish:** Earwigs has a flattened body that helps them squeeze into tiny cracks and under objects to hide or find food. - **Maternal Mama:** Earwigs can guard their eggs and young nymphs, protecting them from dangers, a rare trait for insects. - **Folded Flyers:** Earwigs has intricately folded fan-shaped wings that helps them achieve flight, despite their short wing covers. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 10-50 mm - **Size:** 5-50 mm - **Lifespan:** 180-365 days - **Flight Speed:** 5 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Earwigs are omnivores, munching on decaying plants, small insects, and some fresh greens. - **Primary Foods:** Decaying plant matter, Aphids, Mites, Small larvae, Moss, Soft fruits - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — A common bird that hunts and eats earwigs. - **Eaten by:** European garden spider (*Araneus diadematus*) — Spiders catch earwigs in their webs or ambush them. - **Hunts:** Cotton aphid (*Aphis gossypii*) — Earwigs actively hunt and feed on various aphid species. - **Eaten by:** [European Hedgehog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-hedgehog) (*Erinaceus europaeus*) — Nocturnal hedgehogs frequently forage for earwigs as food. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Scavenger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/scavenger): Scavengers consume dead organic matter, helping to decompose carcasses and other waste in the ecosystem. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Earwigs are not dangerous, but it's best to observe them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Earwigs? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Earwigs's wingspan? 10-50 mm ### How big is Earwigs? 5-50 mm ### How long does Earwigs live? 180-365 days ### How fast can Earwigs fly? 5 km/h ### What does Earwigs eat? Earwigs are omnivores, munching on decaying plants, small insects, and some fresh greens. ### Where is Earwigs usually found? Gardens ### How does Earwigs hunt? Foraging ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Earwigs: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/earwigs)