Interesting facts about earwigs

Small and peculiar, earwigs arouse curiosity with their distinct look and mannerisms. Though their pincers can be intimidating, they usually pose no threat to people or animals. As you learn more about them, earwigs can actually be pretty fascinating.

Because they are mostly active at night and like moist settings, you may find these insects in gardens, beneath rocks, or even inside your home if it is humid. By feeding on smaller pests like aphids and decomposing plants, they contribute to the natural world.

Earwigs are fascinating and unexpected creatures with a variety of traits, including a family-oriented lifestyle and an unusual self-defense mechanism. Let’s explore some fascinating facts that will alter your perception of these misunderstood animals!

There’s more to earwigs than meets the eye; they’re interesting insects best known for their pincers. In spite of their frightening appearance, they are largely safe for people to interact with and contribute significantly to the ecosystem by assisting in the removal of pests and the breakdown of decomposing plant matter. Unusually for insects, these nocturnal animals make fantastic parents, giving their eggs the attention and shield they need to hatch. Discovering interesting details about earwig behavior, diet, and mythology dispels many common misconceptions about them.

Earrings have nothing to do with the ears

The medieval folklore that these insects have a habit of entering sleeping people’s ears to lay eggs or consume brains is where the term "earrings" originates. Thankfully, this is untrue. This concerning myth most likely developed as a result of people’s fear of the claws on earrings and their nighttime habit.

Although they will not choose human ears as a home, earwigs like cramped spaces. Earwovers lay their eggs in underground nests in the fall and winter. They will never select a human to lay their eggs on because we are just not the right setting!

The earrings have wings and antennae

Adult earwigs are distinguished by their prominent pincers, which are curved in males and straight in females. They also have six legs, two pairs of leathery wings, antennae, and a body that can be dark brown, reddish, black, or brown. When their hiding spots are disturbed, earwigs can be seen scuttling around, as they move rather quickly.

Earwigs are foul-smelling insects

A putrid yellow-brown liquid is secreted by some earwig species as a form of defense. Despite its odor, the liquid is safe to drink. Pheromones, which are also produced by the insects and help in mating, have no smell, so humans are unable to detect them.

They are not dangerous to humans or pets

The insects use their projecting pincers for both defense and hunting smaller prey. An earwig will probably defend itself with its pincers if you pick it up. Despite being painful, their defensive pinches rarely result in skin breakage, and they lack venom. Earwigs actually pose a greater threat to plants than they do to people or other four-legged family members. They can seriously harm flower beds and vegetable seedlings.

Earwigs are not picky eaters

Earwigs do not hunt large insects, despite possessing large pincers. They eat everything. Typically, they eat decomposing vegetation. Frequently, you will find them living and feeding in areas with fungi and algae, mulch, and piles of composted leaves. Don’t be shocked if you find earwigs eating on your trash if they manage to get inside your house.

Aphids are among the smaller insects and arthropods that certain predatory earwig species consume. There may also be snails on the menu. Because earwigs are indifferent eaters, it makes no difference to them if the food is alive or dead. The insects have a wide range of food options because their pincers enable them to consume tough food.

Earwigs take good care of their young

Female earwigs lay up to sixty tiny, pale eggs in the upper soil layer following their fall mating ritual. These eggs are well-sheltered from cold temperatures and predators. Two times a year, females lay eggs.

Usually, the larvae hatch in about a week. The female, unlike most insects, will tend to them and keep them safe. The earwig will scrape off any potentially dangerous fungus and coat the egg’s exterior with an antifungal substance. In addition, she will feed the larvae, which significantly raises their chances of surviving in the "outside world."

The larvae resemble miniature forms of earwigs. They have no wings and are nearly white in color. Until they reach adulthood and the new shell hardens, the larvae shed their shell multiple times. The entire procedure takes roughly seventy days.

Some earwigs eat their mothers

Until they are old enough to care for themselves, female humpback earwigs protect their young. However, the female earwigs do not anticipate being thanked by the young ones. They devour their mother before they leave the nest.

From the perspective of an insect, matriphagy makes sense. Young earwigs do not need to venture outside of the safety of the nest in search of food because an adult female is a ready source of calories. The mother bears the greatest cost, but in exchange, the offspring grows up to be resilient and resilient in the outside world.

Giant earwig

With the exception of Antarctica, every continent is home to some 2,000 different species of earwigs. They comprise the insect order Dermaptera. The largest and rarest member of this order is the giant earwig. Regretfully, this species has become extinct. The longest individual measured 8.3 cm. The tiny island of St. Helena in the Atlantic was home to the enormous earwig. The last sighting was in 1967.

Even though they are frequently overlooked, earwigs are fascinating insects that are vital to the ecosystem. They stand out despite the fact that many people are unaware of their unique pincers and nocturnal habits.

Although they may have a frightening appearance, earwigs pose little threat to people or animals. In fact, because they consume tiny insects and plant material, they can even aid in the control of garden pests.

Gaining knowledge about earwigs can make us more aware of the variety of life around us and serve as a reminder that each organism is unique and contributes to the balance of nature.

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