Fauna
Insect · GBIF taxon 1419845

European Earwig

Forficula auricularia

Also known as Common Earwig

European earwigs are nocturnal scavengers best known for their pincer-like rear abdominal cerci, which males use in competitive jousting and courtship displays. Female earwigs exhibit remarkable maternal care, cleaning their eggs meticulously to prevent fungal growth and caring for newly hatched nymphs through their early instars. Despite their reputation as household pests, these omnivores play an effective role in gardens by consuming vast quantities of destructive aphids.

NocturnalOmnivorousGarden Insect
European Earwig reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Aphids
  • Plant Foliage
  • Fungi
Predators
  • Toads
  • Birds
  • Ground Beetles
ThreatsPesticides, habitat alteration
HabitatsGardens, woodlands, agricultural fields, human structures
Life span1–2 years
Classification
  1. OrderDermaptera
  2. FamilyForficulidae
  3. GenusForficula
  4. SpeciesForficula auricularia
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Harmless to humans; pincers are used defensively and rarely break human skin.
Responsible observation
  • Garden Inspection: Look under flowerpots, bark crevices, and leaf litter during damp morning hours.
  • Biological Control: Encourage earwig presence near aphid outbreaks to reduce garden pests naturally.
Related species
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