European earwig

Natural Habitat

Moist, dark places such as under rocks, mulch, bark, and inside crevices

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous; feeds on a variety of organic matter including vegetation, flowers, fruit, and small insects such as aphids

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal insects that are most active at night; they use their pincers (cerci) for defense and mating displays. They exhibit maternal care, with females tending to their eggs and nymphs.

Risks & Benefits

Generally harmless to humans; they can pinch if handled but are not venomous. They can be garden pests by damaging foliage, but they also benefit the ecosystem by consuming other agricultural pests like aphids.

Identified on: 6/17/2026