Insect · GBIF taxon 1419890
African earwig
Euborellia cincticollisAfrican earwigs are nocturnal ground dwellers that shelter by day beneath stones, agricultural mulch, and decaying leaf litter. Females exhibit attentive maternal care, brooding clutches of rounded eggs in underground chambers and licking them clean to prevent fungal infections. When foraging after dark, they use their stout abdominal pincers to subdue small insects, scavenge plant debris, and occasionally feed on crop roots or tender shoots.
NocturnalOmnivoreInvertebrate
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Aphids
- Insect larvae
- Fallen seeds
Predators
- Ground beetles
- Toads
- Birds
ThreatsSynthetic insecticide applications and intense soil tillage
HabitatsAgricultural cropland, orchards, gardens, leaf litter, and moist soil under debris
Life span1 to 2 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderDermaptera
- FamilyAnisolabididae
- GenusEuborellia
- SpeciesEuborellia cincticollis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Look Beneath Cover: Gently lift damp stones, decaying logs, or landscape fabric where adults congregate.
- Handle With Care: Use a soft brush or vial to examine individuals without pinching their delicate cerci.
Competitor (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Ecological Neighbor no rights reserved, uploaded by Tsssss · cc0
Close Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by Jesse Rorabaugh · cc0
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