Pest Identification

Size:
Earwigs in the adult stage are about 1/4 to 1 in (5-25 mm) long.

Characteristics:
Flat, long body; front wings leathery, short, meeting in a straight line down the back; hind wings fan shaped, folded under front wings; rear with forceps-shaped appendage; antennae threadlike, about half the length of the body.

Color:
Varies from pale brown with dark marks, to plain reddish brown, to black with paler legs.

Where found:
Earwigs are known worldwide; 22 species in the U.S.

Comparison with other species:
Rove beetle and other beetles with short wing covers do not have the forceps-like appendage. Red-legged earwig is wingless, adults usually 1/2-5/8 in 12-15 mm) long, dark brown with yellowish brown underside, yellowish legs with brown stripes. Striped earwig (shore or riparian earwig) is 3/4-1 in (20-25 mm) long, pale brown-banded abdomen, forceps darker at tips.

Habitat:
Earwigs over winter outdoors, in pairs, beneath the soil surface in 1-1.5 inch cells or in burrows. Females lay and tend their eggs and newly hatched nymph’s underground.

Food:
Live or dead plants, insects. European earwigs have been observed feeding on honey in beehives.

Biology:
Earwigs are active at night, hiding during daylight hours in moist, shady places, under rocks and logs or in mulch. They cannot survive long periods of dryness. They have a bad odor when crushed, and some species can squirt a foul smelling liquid. The forceps may be used to hold prey and for defense. They have 4-5 nymphal instars. Females lay 30-55 eggs the first time, depending on the species. Sometimes later layings are much smaller in number. Earwigs typically occur in groups. Development takes between 40 and 80 days, depending on the species. 

Damage:
They sometimes damage cultivated plants. European earwigs may damage vegetables, flowers, fruits, and ornamental plantings. Red-legged earwigs have infested Irish and sweet potatoes in storage, roots of greenhouse vegetables, flourmills and breweries. Striped earwigs are not known to damage plants.

Invasion:
Earwigs are attracted to light. European and red-legged earwigs may invade homes.