European Earwig Forficula auricularia

Photo of European Earwig (Forficula auricularia)

(c) Jamie VanBuskirk, some rights reserved (CC BY)

OrderEarwigs (Dermaptera)
FamilyCommon Earwigs (Forficulidae)
GenusForficula (Forficula)

This earwig's fame comes from a wildly misconceived namesake: when its hindwings unfold, they bear a surprising resemblance to human ears (hence 'earwig'). Living up to its reputation as a household regular across North America and Europe, this omnivorous opportunist loves to invade crevices and raid pantries.

Here's the funny part: whether it's a pest or a helpful ally depends entirely on the situation. Some generations treat it as an agricultural menace, while others appreciate it as a natural predator of garden pestsβ€”it's genuinely both at once.

Think you can identify this one in the wild?

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