Common Earwig

Forficula auricularia, commonly known as the common earwig, is an insect that is typically dark brown in color and has a pair of pincers at the end of its abdomen. It is approximately 12-15mm in length and has a flattened body. It is found in a variety of habitats, including gardens, fields, and forests, and is most active at night. The lifespan of the common earwig is typically one year, and the current population is stable.

Name Origin: Forficula auricularia, commonly known as the common earwig, is believed to have been named for its resemblance to a human ear. The Latin word for ear is "auricula," and the Latin word for "scissor" is "forficula," which is likely why the insect was given its scientific name.

Related Species: Forficula auricularia, Forficula pubescens, Forficula anglica, Forficula saulcyi

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insect

Order: Insecta

Family: Dermaptera

Genus: Insecta

Species: Earwig

Forficula auricularia, commonly known as the European earwig, prefers to live in moist, dark places. They can be found in gardens, under rocks, and in wood piles. They are also known to live in the crevices of trees and in the cracks of walls. The European earwig's habitat is unique because it is home to a variety of other animals, such as spiders, beetles, and centipedes. They also have access to plenty of food sources, like decaying plant matter, fungi, and small insects. The ideal living conditions for the European earwig are warm and humid, with plenty of places to hide and plenty of food sources.

Native country: Eur., N. Africa, Asia.

Native continent: They are native to Europe, but can also be found in other parts of the world.

Other organisms found in habitat: Grass, Clover, Dandelion, Earthworm, Beetle, Spider

Appearance Summary: Forficula auricularia, commonly known as the common earwig, is an insect that has a dark brown body with a pair of pincers at the end of its abdomen. It has two long antennae and six legs. Its wings are short and non-functional, and its body is covered in small hairs. It has a pair of cerci, which are sensory organs located at the end of its abdomen. It also has a pair of forceps, which are used to capture prey and defend itself.

Facial description: Forficula auricularia, commonly known as the common earwig, has a pair of long, curved forceps at the end of its abdomen. Its head is small and triangular, with two long antennae and two compound eyes. Its body is dark brown and covered in short hairs. Its wings are short and leathery, and it has three pairs of legs.

What are the distinct features of Common Earwig? Hard exoskeleton, brownish-black color, long antennae, two large forceps-like appendages, no vocalizations, jumping behavior, omnivorous diet, nocturnal activity

What makes them unique?

Common Earwig body color description: Brown, black, and gray

skin type: The exterior of Forficula auricularia is hard and rigid, with a smooth, shiny, and dark brown color. Its body is covered in a thin layer of wax, giving it a slightly waxy texture.

Strengths: Camouflage, Hard Exoskeleton, Flight, Reproductive Capacity, Adaptability

Weaknesses: Susceptibility to desiccation, Poor dispersal ability, Limited mobility, Low reproductive rate

Forficula auricularia behavior summary: Forficula auricularia, commonly known as the common earwig, is an insect that is found in many parts of the world. It is a nocturnal creature that spends its days hiding in dark, damp places such as under rocks, logs, and in leaf litter. It is an omnivore, feeding on both plant and animal matter. It has two long, curved forceps at the end of its abdomen which it uses to defend itself and to capture prey. It moves by walking, using its six legs, and is able to climb walls and other surfaces. It is also able to fly short distances. It is a solitary creature, but will sometimes form small colonies.

How do they defend themselves? Forficula auricularia, commonly known as the European earwig, defends itself from attacks by using its cerci, which are pincer-like appendages located at the end of its abdomen. These cerci are used to pinch and grab predators, and the earwig can also use them to spray a foul-smelling liquid. Additionally, the earwig can use its wings to fly away from predators.

How do Common Earwig respond to stimuli in their environment? Stridulation, Touch, Chemical Signals

How do Common Earwig gather food? Forficula auricularia, commonly known as the common earwig, is an omnivorous insect that hunts and gathers food in a variety of ways. It primarily feeds on decaying plant and animal matter, but will also scavenge for small insects and larvae. To hunt, the earwig uses its long, curved forceps to capture prey, and its short antennae to detect food sources. It also uses its wings to fly short distances in search of food. The earwig needs a moist environment to survive, and faces challenges such as competition from other insects and predators.

How do Common Earwig communicate in their environment? They use a combination of sound and movement to communicate with other organisms. They produce a chirping sound by rubbing their wings together and they also use their antennae to detect vibrations in the air. They also use their legs to move in a certain way to indicate their presence.

Examples: They use stridulation, they use pheromones, they use tactile communication

How does the Common Earwig get territorial? Chasing, Threatening, Defending

Diet Summary: Forficula auricularia, commonly known as the common earwig, feeds on a variety of plant and animal matter. Its diet consists of aphids, mites, small insects, and other arthropods. It also consumes decaying plant material, fungi, and algae. Toxic and unhealthy foods for this organism include insecticides, herbicides, and other chemicals.

Predators: Forficula auricularia, commonly known as the common earwig, is threatened by a variety of predators, including birds, spiders, and centipedes. Environmental changes, such as increased temperatures, can also have a negative impact on the population growth of this species. Additionally, the introduction of non-native species to its habitat can also have a detrimental effect on the population of Forficula auricularia.

Threats: Habitat Loss, Pesticides, Parasites, Predators, Disease, Climate Change

Life cycle: Forficula auricularia reproduces by laying eggs in the soil. The eggs hatch into larvae, which then molt several times before becoming adults. The adults mate and the cycle begins again. The life cycle of Forficula auricularia is completed in about two months.

Average offspring size: 6-8 cm

Most common health issues: Respiratory problems, Skin irritation, Allergic reactions

Threats: Habitat Loss, Pesticides, Parasites, Predators, Disease, Climate Change

Common diseases that threaten the Common Earwig population: Malnutrition, Parasitic Infections, Fungal Infections, Bacterial Infections, Viral Infections, Stress, Dehydration, Heat Stress, Cold Stress, Oxygen Deprivation, Predation, Injury, Poisoning

Population: Forficula auricularia has seen a steady decline in population over the past ten years, with the lowest population recorded in 2020. The population peaked in 2010, with a population of over 1.5 million. Since then, the population has decreased by over 1 million, with the population in 2020 being just over 500,000.

How do Common Earwig adapt to their environment Forficula auricularia, commonly known as the common earwig, is an insect that has adapted to its environment by developing a pair of forceps-like pincers at the end of its abdomen. These pincers are used to capture prey, defend itself from predators, and even to help it climb. For example, the common earwig can be found in gardens and other outdoor areas, where it uses its pincers to climb up plants and other surfaces to find food and shelter.

What's their social structure? Forficula auricularia, commonly known as the common earwig, is a small insect that lives in a variety of habitats. They are omnivores, meaning they feed on both plants and animals, and are found in the middle of the food chain. They live in small colonies and interact with their family and species by grooming each other and defending their territory. They also communicate with each other through chemical signals. They have a social hierarchy, with the dominant male and female at the top, followed by the subordinate males and females. The dominant pair will mate and lay eggs, while the subordinate members will help care for the eggs and young.

How would you describe their survival instincts? They have a variety of survival instincts that allow them to respond to stimuli in their environment. They have the ability to detect vibrations in the air and ground, allowing them to sense potential predators or prey. They also have the ability to detect light and dark, allowing them to hide from predators or find food. They also have the ability to detect humidity and temperature, allowing them to find the most suitable environment for their survival.