Stats

Lifespan

1 year

Size

Small

Diet

Omnivore

Activity

Nocturnal

Social

Solitary

Biome

Temperate forest

Range

Europe

Movement

Walking

Breeding

Egg-laying

Defense

Spines

Status

Common

About

The European earwig, or Forficula auricularia, is a common household pest that can be found in a variety of environments. Its hindwings resemble human ears when unfolded, which is the origin of the species' name.

Life cycle

1. 1.
   egg

   A small egg is laid on or near the larval food source and hatches within days or weeks.
2. 2.
   juvenile

   An immature insect feeds and molts, growing through successive instars.
3. 3.
   subadult

   A near-adult insect has wing buds or near-mature form, one molt away from full size.
4. 4.
   adult

   Fully grown, with full wings and adult coloration.

Learn more

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Taxonomy

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Insecta

Order

Dermaptera

Family

Forficulidae

Genus

Forficula