
Community identification
Earwig
Dermaptera
- Order & Family
- Order Dermaptera, various families
- Size
- 5 to 50 millimeters in length.
Natural Habitat
Damp, dark environments such as under bark, rocks, and leaf litter, occasionally entering homes.
Diet & Feeding
Omnivorous, feeding on decaying organic matter, plants, and small insects.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal insects that hide in tight crevices during the day and use rear pincers for defense and courtship.
Risks & Benefits
Harmless to humans as they do not transmit disease, though their pinchers can break skin if threatened; they help decompose organic material.