|
Earwig found on raft of floating vegetation in flooded creek.
Photograph copyright: ozwildlife - all rights reserved. Used with permission.
|
Earwig found on raft of floating vegetation in flooded creek.
Photograph copyright: ozwildlife - all rights reserved. Used with permission.
|
|
|
EARWIG FACTS |
Identification
This earwig has gold coloured wing covers and a purplish brown body and head. The young are similar to adults but paler. The long forceps (pincers) are used for defense and curve upwards when the earwig is threatened; the forceps can also be used to capture and carry prey. Female earwigs usually have smaller simple forceps and eight visible abdominal segments, while males have longer forceps and ten visible abdominal segments.
Size
18mm
Habitat
moist environments in leaf litter, mulch and debris on the ground
Food
Most earwigs are omnivorous and eat plant matter, dead insects, some live invertebrates
Breeding
Earwigs lay eggs in burrows. The female guards the eggs from predators keeps the eggs clean until they hatch in two to three weeks.
Notes
the story that earwigs have a tendency to crawl into your ear while you are asleep is a myth.
Classification
| Class: | Insecta | | Order: | Dermaptera | | Family: | Forficulinae | | Genus: | Elaunon | | Species: | bipartitus | | Common Name: | Earwig |
|
|
