European Earwig

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European Earwig - Alan Henderson (Minibeast Wildlife)

Forficula auricularia

Body dark brown to reddish brown, up to 14 mm in length, excluding the pincers.

Details
Type
Invertebrate
Group
Animals
Insect - Earwig
Biology

Nocturnal. European Earwigs can occur in large numbers at times. They can be a pest as they damage young plants. Adults can use their pincers in defense, twisting their abdomen forward over their head or sideways to fight an enemy, often another earwig.
Distinctive Markings

A pair of long, pointed tail pincers. Dark brown body.
Taxonomy
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Dermaptera
Family
Forficulidae
Genus
Forficula
Species
auricularia
Native to Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa. Introduced to Australia.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Rarely seen flying, but when ready to take flight the adults usually climb and take off from an elevated object.

Interesting Facts
Diet

Omnivore. Eats aphids, spiders, caterpillar pupae, leaf beetle eggs, scale insects and springtails. Also eats vegetable matter including flowers, fungi and algae.
Habitat

Hides in leaf debris, cracks and crevices during the day. Can be found on flowers at night.
Native Status
Introduced