|
Males and females can be distinguished
by their tail pincers, which are more curved in males than females.
Distribution >
They are found all over Europe but have
been introduced to many other parts of the world.
Habitat >
Earwigs can be found in damp crevices
in houses, gardens and woodland.
Diet >
They feed on decaying plant and animal
matter and other insects.
Behaviour >
Earwigs rest during the day inside damp crevices
such as under bark or in hollow plant stems. They are scavengers and
emerge at night. Their pincers can give a small nip to a human but
they are normally used to scare away predators and to help them tuck
their wings away.
Reproduction >
The female lays eggs under stones and
in crevices and will stay with her eggs guarding them. From time to
time she will gently clean the eggs with her mouthparts to prevent
fungal infection. She will continue guarding her young, which look
like miniature versions of their parents, until they have grown large
enough to fend for themselves.
Notes >
The name earwig is derived from the old
English 'earwicga' which means 'ear beetle'. It was once commonly
believed that earwigs would burrow into people's ears at night and lay
eggs in their brains. In fact the story still circulates as an urban
myth. Earwigs are not parasitic and would rather lay their eggs under
a stone. The human ear, though about the right size for an earwig, is
not an ideal resting place. So if one were to crawl into someone's ear
it would not be typical behaviour but the actions of one very confused
and lost earwig.
Advice for Earwigs:
Use Fortefog Mini
Fumers, Protector C, Agrothrin or
Agrodust.
|