European Earwig

The European earwig, *Forficula auricularia*, is an orthopteran insect belonging to the family Forficulidae. Adults typically measure 10-16 mm in length, displaying a characteristic reddish-brown coloration with lighter yellowish legs and antennae. Sexual dimorphism is evident in the cerci: males possess prominently curved, caliper-like forceps ranging from 4-9 mm, while female cerci are straighter and 3-5 mm long. The lifecycle involves incomplete metamorphosis, progressing through egg, nymphal (typically 4-5 instars), and adult stages, usually completing one generation per year in temperate regions. Females lay 30-60 eggs in subterranean chambers, with incubation lasting 7-10 days under optimal conditions of 18-25°C and high humidity.

Primarily nocturnal, *F. auricularia* exhibits phototaxis for most of its life stages, actively foraging after dusk and seeking concealed, thigmotactic harborages before dawn. While generally solitary for foraging, aggregations can form in suitable diurnal retreats. Communication involves short-range antennal contact and chemical cues in reproductive contexts. Their diet is highly omnivorous, encompassing decaying organic matter, soft-bodied insects like aphids and mites, and a wide array of plant material, making them both agricultural pests and beneficial predators. Defensive behavior includes utilizing their cerci for pinching adversaries or grasping prey, though they are not considered aggressive towards humans and pose no public health threat, occasionally causing minor structural damage by chewing soft wood.