Western Earwig
ExploreInsects
Western Earwig
Forficula dentata
The Western Earwig is a small insect with long pincers on its tail. They like to hide in dark places and come out at night to look for food like leaves and tiny bugs.
Habitat: Urban areas
Appearance
The Western Earwig is a slender, dark reddish-brown insect with a flattened body and distinctive yellowish-brown legs and antennae. Its most striking feature is a pair of prominent, forcep-like pincers, called cerci, located at the end of its abdomen.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderDermapteraFamilyForficulidaeGenusForficula
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Earwigs have wings that fold up like a tiny fan under their wing covers!
Some earwig mothers are super protectors, cleaning their eggs to keep them safe!
Their mighty pincers also help earwigs cleverly fold their delicate wings!
These insects often eat rotting plants and tiny bugs, helping clean up gardens!
Special abilities
Ability
Pincer Precision
Western Earwig can use its strong abdominal pincers to defend itself from predators and to manipulate food items with surprising precision.
Ability
Hidden Wings Flight
Western Earwig has hidden, fan-like wings neatly folded under short wing covers that allow it to fly, though it often prefers to scuttle or crawl.
Ability
Maternal Guardian
Western Earwig can meticulously care for its eggs and young nymphs, guarding them and even cleaning fungal growth to improve their survival chances.
Ability
Night Navigator
Western Earwig has an excellent sense of touch and smell that helps it navigate and find food in the dark, making it a successful nocturnal hunter and scavenger.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 20-40 mm
- Size
- 10-19 mm
- Lifespan
- 180-365 days
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
A tiny omnivore, it munches on dead plants, small insects, and other decaying bits.
Primary Foods
- decaying plant matter
- small insects
- aphids
- soft fruits
- fungi
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eats
melon aphid
Aphis gossypii
helps control garden pests like aphids
eaten by
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
a common backyard bird that preys on insects
eaten by
Bold Jumper
Phidippus audax
a hunting spider found in gardens
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Omnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.
Scavenger
Scavengers consume dead organic matter, helping to decompose carcasses and other waste in the ecosystem.
Decomposer
Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Miniature
Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind.
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
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Earwigs are not dangerous, but it's best to leave them alone and watch them from a distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Western Earwig's wingspan?
20-40 mm
How big is Western Earwig?
10-19 mm
How long does Western Earwig live?
180-365 days
What does Western Earwig eat?
A tiny omnivore, it munches on dead plants, small insects, and other decaying bits.
Where is Western Earwig usually found?
Urban areas
How does Western Earwig hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Western Earwig have?
6
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