THE INSECTLIBRARY FIELD GUIDES

Dermaptera

EarwigIdentification, facts & practical guidance

Earwigs are insects in Dermaptera, easily recognized by the pair of forceps at the end of the abdomen.

Compiled by the InsectLibrary Team · Updated · Editorial policy

Identification and lookalikes

Forficula auricularia
Forficula auricularia - European Earwigno rights reserved. https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ Source: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/404361513
Forficula dentata
Forficula dentata - Forficula dentataContributed by Connor E.J. Graham; Additional contributions by v belov , Nathaniel Green
Euborellia annulipes
Euborellia annulipes - Ring-legged Earwig

The forceps vary with species, sex and age. Young earwigs resemble smaller adults but lack mature wings. The rear forceps distinguish them from many rove beetles with exposed abdominal segments.

Helpful predator or plant pest?

Earwigs can eat small insects and also damage tender plants or soft fruit. They shelter in cool, moist places during the day. Their presence alone does not establish the cause of leaf damage.

What to do next

Check damaged plants at night and reduce excessive hiding places near vulnerable seedlings. Indoors, remove occasional visitors and address entry gaps or moisture. Routine indoor pesticide use does not prevent new arrivals.

Earwig: species profiles

Explore 34 species profiles covered by this guide, with recorded names and available photos.

European Earwig

European Earwig

Forficula auricularia

no rights reserved
Forficula dentata

Forficula dentata

Forficula dentata

Ring-legged Earwig

Ring-legged Earwig

Euborellia annulipes

Shore Earwig

Shore Earwig

Labidura riparia

Lined Earwig

Lined Earwig

Doru taeniatum

Forficula mediterranea

Forficula mediterranea

Forficula mediterranea

Maritime Earwig

Maritime Earwig

Anisolabis maritima

Lesser Earwig

Lesser Earwig

Labia minor

Euborellia moesta

Euborellia moesta

Euborellia moesta

African Earwig

African Earwig

Euborellia cincticollis

Black Earwig

Black Earwig

Chelisoches morio

Euborellia arcanum

Euborellia arcanum

Euborellia arcanum

Sources and further reading

  • ipm.ucanr.edu - earwigshttps://ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/earwigs/

References support the subject discussed here; they do not certify every imported directory record. Regional sources describe their own locations. Read our source and correction policy.