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.
Earwigs are harmless to people, though they may emit a foul-smelling liquid when disturbed or use their pincers in defense.
Range Mostly in warm climates; very few range far north.
Habitat Earwigs are sensitive to heat and dryness, so they usually hide in cool, dark places during the day and come out at night. Some species hide mostly under leaves, rocks and other debris, while others hide under the bark of trees.
Season Year-round, but often inactive/hiding in cold or dry weather.
Food Plants, organic matter, other insects (some are almost exclusively carnivorous, and many are important in controlling soil pests, including chinch bugs).
