What is an earwig?

Answer 1

An earwig is a skin-winged insect which belongs to the order DERMAPTERA, with sharp pincers on the tip of the abdomen (to defend against ant attacks from the rear) and a segmented antennae.They vary in size from 1/2-1" in length, they are brown to black in color. Species may be winged or wingless. Only a few species are good fliers. The body terminates in a pair of forceps. These forceps or pincers are the earwig's most distinctive characteristic. The forceps are used in capturing prey and mating.

Earwigs are omnivorous, feeding on a wide variety of food. They will eat live or dead insects as well as live or decaying vegetation.
Earwigs are nocturnal - during the day they will be found in moist shady places, under wood piles, stones, boards, compost piles, flower beds, and other secluded locations. They cause damage to cultivated plants and can be a nuisance when they migrate indoors but they also can be of value as predators of certain insect pests.

The name earwig originated from the superstition that earwigs crawl into the ears of sleeping persons and bore into the brain. Although earwigs appear somewhat dangerous due to their forceps, they are practically harmless to man.

Answer 2

An earwig is an insect belonging to the order Dermaptera

Answer 3

Earwig is the common name given to the insect order Dermaptera characterized by membranous wings folded underneath short leathery forewings (hence the literal name of the order - "skin wings"). The abdomen extends well beyond the wings, and frequently, though not always, ends in a pair of forceps-like cerci. With about 1,800 recorded species in 10 families, the order is relatively small among Insecta. Earwigs are, however, quite common globally. There is no evidence that they transmit disease or otherwise harm humans or other animals, despite their nickname, Pincher bug.

If you would like to see more, come into my backyard and see many...

Answer 4

What Is An Earwig

Answer 5

Earwigs are elongate, flattened insects, ranging from light red-brown to black and are easily recognized by their forcep-like appendages (pincers) on the end of the abdomen. The forceps (cerci) are unequal in length in the males. Earwig female forceps are straight-sided, whereas male forceps are strongly curved (caliper-like) and larger. They have chewing mouthparts and long, slender antennae and are either winged or wingless. If wings are present, the first pair are hard, short and "beetle-like," while the second pair are membranous, fan-shaped and folded under the hard first pair of wings. Tips of the second pair of wings usually protrude from under the first pair. The European earwig ranges from 1/2 to 3/4 inch long, with banded legs and reddish head. The ringlegged earwig ranges from 1/2 to 3/5 inch long and is black-yellowish underneath with legs having dark crossbands. Young earwigs (nymphs) are similar to adults. They are white to olive-green and lack wings.

Answer 6

An earwig is a thin dark brown bug about 3/4 inch long with pincers on its behind. It lives in dark moist places. It's annoying but not dangerous to people. It likes to eat marigolds and similar flowers so good luck if you have those flowers in your garden.

Answer 7

Earwig, common name for any member of an order of mainly nocturnal insects found throughout the world. Earwigs are small, slender, and brownish. They have pairs of horny abdominal appendages resembling forceps, which are larger in males than in females. They are used to hold prey, for defence, and in courtship. Most species are winged, but they seldom fly. Earwigs undergo incomplete metamorphosis. In winter the female lays her eggs in batches, often under stones or in soil. She tends them by licking off any harmful fungi. The tropical species of earwigs are brightly coloured and carnivorous. In most places, they live under the decayed bark of trees, under stones, and in old straw and feed chiefly upon flowers and ripe fruit. Earwigs were so named because of the belief that they sometimes creep into human ears. They are completely harmless to human beings but are known to transmit virus diseases that affect plants.

Answer 8

Earwig is the common name given to the insect order Dermaptera characterized by membranous wings folded underneath short leathery forewings (hence the literal name of the order - "skin wings

Answer 9

They are little harmless bugs, brown in color about 1 inch long with two skinny pinchers on their back. They do not move very fast and I find them in my home all the time. I spray for bugs, so they are usually dead but sometimes I see a live one and pick it up with a tissue and flush it. I am happy as long as I don't see a scorpion inside. Those guys are dangerous but earwigs are harmless.

Answer 10

An earwig is a cool little bug with pinchers. Note that it is an urban legend that they go in peoples' ears! They would much rather live under a flower pot!