A lot of people get a case of the heebie-jeebies when faced with an earwig, or worse, when they disturb something in the garden and find 50 earwigs all squirming and running around. But earwigs are fascinating creatures that have been around for millions of years. Despite their long history and widespread presence, there are many interesting facts about earwigs that most people don’t know. Here are 15 surprising things you probably didn’t know about these intriguing insects.
1. Earwigs Don’t Actually Crawl into Your Ears
Contrary to popular belief and urban legends, earwigs do not crawl into people’s ears. This myth likely originated from their name, which comes from the Old English words “ēare,” meaning ear, and “wicga,” meaning insect. In reality, earwigs have no interest in human ears and prefer to stay in moist, dark places like under rocks or in rotting wood.
2. Earwigs Have Wings, But Rarely Use Them
Most species of earwigs have wings folded underneath their short forewings, called tegmina. However, earwigs seldom use their wings for flying. Some species have lost the ability to fly altogether due to their hindwings being greatly reduced or absent. Earwigs prefer to crawl around on the ground and only use their wings in extreme situations, such as escaping from predators.
3. Female Earwigs Are Excellent Mothers
Unlike many other insects, female earwigs are known for their maternal care. After laying eggs, the mother earwig will guard them fiercely, protecting them from predators and keeping them clean by regularly licking them. Once the eggs hatch, the mother will continue to care for her offspring, providing them with food and protection until they are old enough to fend for themselves.
4. Earwigs Use Their Pincers for Defense and Mating
The most distinctive feature of earwigs is the pair of pincers, or cerci, at the end of their abdomen. These pincers are used for defense against predators and during mating rituals. Male earwigs often use their pincers to grasp the female during mating and to fend off rival males. The shape and size of the pincers can vary greatly between species and between males and females of the same species.
5. There Are Over 2,000 Species of Earwigs Worldwide
Earwigs belong to the insect order Dermaptera, which contains over 2,000 known species. They can be found on every continent except Antarctica, with the greatest diversity found in tropical regions. Some notable species include the European earwig (Forficula auricularia), which is the most common species in Europe and North America, and the giant Saint Helena earwig (Labidura herculeana), which can grow up to 3 inches long.
6. Earwigs Are Omnivores and Can Be Beneficial in Gardens
Despite their reputation as pests, earwigs can actually be beneficial in gardens. They are omnivores, feeding on a variety of plant material and small insects, including aphids and mites that can damage crops. However, when their populations become too large, they can also cause damage to plants by feeding on leaves and flowers.
7. Earwigs Undergo Incomplete Metamorphosis
Like other insects in the order Dermaptera, earwigs undergo incomplete metamorphosis. This means that they do not have a pupal stage and instead go through a series of molts as they grow from nymphs to adults. Earwig nymphs resemble smaller versions of the adults but lack fully developed wings and reproductive organs.
8. Some Earwig Species Engage in Subsocial Behavior
While most earwigs are solitary, some species exhibit subsocial behavior, meaning they display some level of social interaction and cooperation. For example, the European earwig is known to live in small family groups, with the mother providing care for her offspring and the siblings interacting with each other. This behavior is relatively rare among insects and has fascinated entomologists for decades.
9. Earwigs Have a Unique Digestive System
Earwigs have a unique digestive system that allows them to efficiently extract nutrients from their food. They have a specialized structure called a proventriculus, which grinds food and filters out indigestible material. This adaptation helps earwigs survive on a wide range of food sources, from decaying plant matter to live insects.
10. Some Earwig Species Are Aquatic
While most earwigs are terrestrial, there are a few species that have adapted to aquatic environments. These semi-aquatic earwigs can be found living near streams, ponds, and other water bodies. They have specialized adaptations, such as dense hairs on their legs, that allow them to swim and walk on the surface of the water.
11. Earwigs Have Been Used in Traditional Medicine
In some parts of the world, earwigs have been used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. For example, in traditional Chinese medicine, earwigs were sometimes prescribed to treat ear infections and hearing loss. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims, and using insects in medicine can be dangerous and potentially harmful.
12. Earwigs Play a Role in Decomposition and Nutrient Cycling
As decomposers, earwigs play an important role in breaking down dead plant and animal matter, helping to recycle nutrients back into the soil. They are part of a complex ecosystem that includes bacteria, fungi, and other decomposers, all working together to break down organic matter and support plant growth.
13. Some Earwig Species Are Threatened by Habitat Loss
Like many other insects, some earwig species are threatened by habitat loss and degradation due to human activities such as deforestation and urbanization. The Saint Helena giant earwig, for example, is critically endangered and has not been seen in the wild since 1967. Conservation efforts are underway to protect remaining earwig habitats and prevent further species loss.
14. Earwigs Have Inspired Biomimicry in Engineering
The unique wing-folding mechanism of earwigs has inspired engineers and scientists in the field of biomimicry. By studying how earwigs fold and unfold their wings, researchers have developed new designs for compact, deployable structures such as satellite antennas and solar panels.
15. Earwigs Have a Long Evolutionary History
Earwigs have been around for a very long time, with fossil evidence suggesting they first appeared during the Jurassic Period, around 208 million years ago. They have survived numerous mass extinction events and have evolved to adapt to a wide range of environments, from tropical rainforests to temperate grasslands. Their long evolutionary history is a testament to their resilience and adaptability.