# Forficula

Forficula, commonly known as the earwig, has a unique pair of pincers on its tail that help it defend itself. These little creatures often come out at night and can be found hiding under rocks and leaves during the day!

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger
- **Habitat:** Earwigs typically live in moist environments such as gardens, forests, and under decaying wood.
- **Also known as:** earwig, pincer bug, pincher bug

![Forficula](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Forficula_auricularia.jpg&width=800)

Photo: ArtMechanic, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Forficula_auricularia.jpg)

## Appearance

The Forficula has a flattened, reddish-brown body with short, leathery forewings. Its most distinctive feature is the pair of prominent, pincer-like appendages (cerci) at its rear, which differ in shape between males and females.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Dermaptera
- **Family:** Forficulidae
- **Genus:** Forficula

## Interesting facts

- Despite their name, earwigs do not crawl into people's ears to lay eggs – that's a common myth!
- Earwigs are nocturnal, meaning they mostly hunt and forage for food while you are usually sleeping!
- Some earwig species can squirt foul-smelling liquid from their bodies to deter hungry attackers!
- Their scientific name, Forficula, literally means 'little scissors,' named after their unique rear pincers!

## Special abilities

- **Wing Wizardry:** Forficula can fold its large, delicate hindwings into a tiny, compact space under short forewings for protection.
- **Mama Bear Mode:** Forficula mothers diligently guard and clean their eggs, a rare form of parental care among insects.

## Measurements & details

- **Size:** 10-14 mm
- **Lifespan:** 250-365 days
- **Leg Count:** 6

## Diet & Feeding

Forficula is an omnivore, munching on decaying plants, tiny insects, and sometimes fresh leaves.

- **Primary Foods:** decaying leaves, aphids, soft fruits, fungi
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — A common meal for hungry backyard birds.
- **Eats:** Cotton Aphid (*Aphis gossypii*) — Helps gardeners by munching on these tiny pests.
- **Eaten by:** [House Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-mouse) (*Mus musculus*) — Sometimes hunted by small mammals seeking a snack.

## 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.
- [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding.
- [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
- [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
- [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:** 0/5 · No known danger

Earwigs are harmless, but it’s best to observe them from a distance.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Forficula?

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.

### How big is Forficula?

10-14 mm

### How long does Forficula live?

250-365 days

### What does Forficula eat?

Forficula is an omnivore, munching on decaying plants, tiny insects, and sometimes fresh leaves.

### Where is Forficula usually found?

Earwigs typically live in moist environments such as gardens, forests, and under decaying wood.

### How does Forficula hunt?

Foraging

### How many legs does Forficula have?

6

## Where to spot

- [Burgundy Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/burgundy-park) — Virginia, US · Park

## 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*)

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Source: [Forficula: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/forficula)