# Ring-legged Earwig (*Euborellia annulipes*)

The Ring-legged Earwig is a small insect with long antennae and pincers. They like to hide in dark, damp places and are great at helping to break down dead plants.

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Snaps:** 2
- **Habitat:** Urban areas

![Ring-legged Earwig](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Euborellia_annulipes_313921556.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Grey Smith, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Euborellia_annulipes_313921556.jpg)

## Appearance

The Ring-legged Earwig has a dark brown, flattened body with distinct yellowish-brown bands or 'rings' on its legs, making them visually unique. Its smooth, shiny body contrasts with its prominent pincer-like cerci at its rear end.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Dermaptera
- **Family:** Anisolabididae
- **Genus:** Euborellia

## Interesting facts

- Earwigs are sometimes called 'pincher bugs' because of their distinctive rear appendages.
- Some earwig mothers care for their eggs and young, guarding them fiercely until they hatch.
- Their pincer-like tail appendages are called cerci and come in different shapes for males and females!
- They can squeeze into tiny cracks and crevices to hide from danger and find shelter.

## Special abilities

- **Pincer Power:** Ring-legged Earwig can use its strong, pincer-like cerci for defense against predators and to help capture small prey, making it a versatile survivor.
- **Night Navigator:** Ring-legged Earwig has excellent night vision that helps them forage for food safely under the cover of darkness, avoiding daytime predators.
- **Regeneration Revelation:** Ring-legged Earwig can regrow lost legs or pincers because they have special regenerative cells that help them recover from injuries.

## Measurements & details

- **Size:** 10-25 mm
- **Lifespan:** 60-180 days
- **Leg Count:** 6

## Diet & Feeding

These omnivores eat dead plants, tiny insects, and some fresh greens, helping to clean up their environment.

- **Primary Foods:** decaying plant matter, small insects, algae, fungi, mites, seeds
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eats:** Cotton Aphid (*Aphis gossypii*) — Helps control populations of this common garden pest.
- **Eaten by:** [Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Argiope aurantia*) — A common spider predator that ambushes earwigs.
- **Eaten by:** [House Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-mouse) (*Mus musculus*) — An opportunistic predator, especially of earwigs found indoors.

## 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.
- [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.
- [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
- [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 harmful, but it's best to watch them from a distance.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Ring-legged Earwig?

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 Ring-legged Earwig?

10-25 mm

### How long does Ring-legged Earwig live?

60-180 days

### What does Ring-legged Earwig eat?

These omnivores eat dead plants, tiny insects, and some fresh greens, helping to clean up their environment.

### Where is Ring-legged Earwig usually found?

Urban areas

### How does Ring-legged Earwig hunt?

Foraging

### How many legs does Ring-legged Earwig have?

6

## Where to spot

- [Savannah–Ogeechee Canal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/savannah-ogeechee-canal) — Georgia, US · Historic Site
- [Sunset Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sunset-zoo) — Kansas, US · Zoo

## 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: [Ring-legged Earwig: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ring-legged-earwig)