Earwigs...?

Question

Why do earwigs have wings if they don't use them? Could they fly in the past and what could have changed that?

Answer 1

Wikipedia says earwigs do have wings but rarely use them. It doesn't say they can't fly. Since the earwig likes to live in dark, moist places like under logs, they may get all of their needs met within a small area. Therefore, they wouldn't need to fly.

Maybe they did fly more in the distant past because their habitat was drier so they needed to fly to find food, etc. Animals have been proven to change adaptations when the environment changes.

Answer 2

maybe they use them in watery areas like penguins...