Habitat
Common earwigs are found in
tropical, temperate and arid habitats. They are usually found in
secluded, undisturbed places like wood piles, under stones or underneath
debris. |
Physical Characteristics
All earwigs are small
in size, and common earwigs are generally 0.75 inches (18 mm) in
length. Common earwigs have slender, elongated and flattened bodies.
Their color is a reddish-brown. While most earwigs have two pairs
of wings, common earwigs have two incomplete sets of wings, making
them virtually wingless and completely flightless. For species of
earwigs with a complete set of wings, their forewings are thickened,
leathery and short, while hindwings are membranous and folded beneath
the forewings.
Earwigs have chewing mouthparts and simple
eyes. Their antennae are long and generally have 12-15 segments.
The most obvious characteristic of earwigs is their strong pincers
located on the tip of the abdomen. These pincers are used for
defense and capturing food. |
Life
Span
About one year |
Diet
In the wild: Earwigs are omnivorous and primarily
scavenge for food, eating organic and decaying matter. Some species
use their pincers to capture and eat small arthropods such as mites,
spiders, flies or caterpillars.
At the zoo: Apples,
oranges, romaine lettuce and monkey chow |
Reproduction
Egg-laying occurs in early spring. The female mates indiscriminately
and then lays a clutch of 20-50 smooth, white or cream-colored
eggs in subterranean chambers. She will protect her eggs from any
intruders, including her mate. As she guards her eggs, she cares
for them by frequently licking the eggs to prevent fungal infestations.
Once hatched, the female will care for her young until their first
molt when they are old enough to fend for themselves.
Life Cycle
Earwigs go through incomplete metamorphosis (nymphs look similar
to adults) and in 10 weeks reach the adult stage of growth. Once an
earwig is an adult, it will live approximately eight to 10 months.
Earwigs are nocturnal in nature, coming out to eat in the late evening
and hiding during the day. Common earwigs are often found in large
sleeping colonies. Predators of earwigs include mammals and birds.
Some species of earwigs will eject a foul-smelling liquid when threatened.
A Fondness for
Human Ears!
The
name "earwig" came from an early
European erroneous belief that earwigs were dangerous to humans. Superstition
had it that while a person slept, an "ear" wig would crawl into their
ear and bore into their brain. Once in the brain, the earwig would
lay its eggs. You can imagine the rest!
This belief
is completely false, since earwigs are harmless animals that have
never attacked humans (or other animals) in this manner. A human
who carelessly handles an earwig, though, can receive a mild pinch
from the earwig's powerful pincers.
|
Fascinating
Facts
- The
name Dermaptera means "skin-winged." This
refers to the large, fragile hindwings of the earwig!
- Some species of earwigs may burrow
as deep as six feet into the ground to escape cold temperatures
while they overwinter!
- Earwigs rarely resort to flight and
are not suited for crawling long distances. They often get
from one place to another by hitchhiking in clothing, paper,
wood, automobiles, etc.!
- Many tropical species of earwigs
are brightly colored and carnivorous!
|
Bug
World does not currently have earwigs in its collection. However,
you'll
go
"buggy" while
viewing exciting seasonal displays that take you on a journey to
different bioclimatic zones around the world. You may come face-to-face
with recycling cockroaches, assassin bugs, web-spinning spiders
or scuba diving beetles, to name only a few. The only way you'll
find out which bugs you'll encounter is by visiting Bug World.
Don't miss it!
Earwigs are
common throughout the world. Human-caused changes in land use are
escalating, and this affects the natural habitat required by earwigs
and other animals for survival. Vast forests are being removed for
timber or other paper products, and industrial emissions are polluting
water and air resources. Additionally, habitat is rapidly converted
by expanding human communities and agricultural needs. It’s
only a matter of time until many insect species populations will
become severely reduced, or eliminated.
Humans need insects. Often unnoticed, earwigs
and other insects are essential for maintaining the balance in nature
and health of the living world. Here are only a few of the benefits
insects provide:
- Bees, butterflies and other insects pollinate
wild plants and our crops, ensuring the production of seeds and
fruits required for the continued survival of plants and animals
- Earwigs, beetles and other insect scavengers
clean up the environment by consuming decaying plants and animals.
Nutrients are recycled back into the soil, helping future generations
of plants to grow
- Many species of carnivorous beetles, ants
and wasps eat other harmful insects that damage or destroy our
crops and spread disease
- Burrowing insects aerate and enrich the
soil
- Insects are a source of food for animals,
including humans!
- Insects produce products used by people,
including honey, beeswax, silk and dyes, to name only a few
How You Can Help!
The effort to save animals and their habitat requires cooperation
and support at the international, national, regional and individual
levels. You can help in this cause. Join and become active in Woodland
Park Zoo and other conservation organizations of your choice. To conserve
habitat for earwigs and other insects, reduce your use of pesticides
and herbicides, and work to preserve vegetation in your neighborhood
and in tropical regions.
Contact Woodland Park Zoo at webkeeper@zoo.org to find out how you can support conservation efforts
at the zoo. Learn other ways you can help conserve wildlife and the
habitats they require for survival by visiting our How You Can Help page.
Sources and Suggested Reading
Borror, Donald Joyce. 1974. A Field Guide to Insects: America North of Mexico (Petersen
Field Guide Series). Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, MA. 404 p.Nuridsany,
Claude and Marie Perennou. 1997. Microcosmos.
Stewart, Tabori & Chang, New York, NY. 160 p.
For Kids!
Mound, Laurence. 1990. Insect (Eyewitness Book).
Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York, NY. 64 p.Zoobooks. 1994. Insects. Wildlife Education
Ltd., San Diego, CA. 18 p.
Zoobooks. 1994. Insects 2. Wildlife
Education Ltd., San Diego, CA. 22 p. |
