Earwig why named

By an large, earwigs are no danger to humans, although they can be unnerving because of their appearance and their way of popping up in unexpected places.

Though there may not be any way to permanently keep earwigs away especially if you live by a lake, swamp or river , there are some things you can do to minimize their invasiveness:. Replace mulch around the foundation with gravel or something that does not retain as much moisture. This makes your house less attractive to earwigs, who love moist habitats like mulch. Make sure doors and windows are properly sealed.

Earwigs tend to get in most through the threshold of a door that does not seal properly. If repairing a poorly sealed door is not an option, consider using some kind of weather seal, the same kind you would use to keep out a draft.

Typically, a general pesticide application around the foundation of your home can greatly reduce the likelihood of earwigs getting into your home. It makes them look more frightening than they really are.

In truth, the pincers of the common European earwig do little damage. I have picked up hundreds of them this summer; my backyard chickens find them to be a tasty snack.

The pincers, called cerci, are notably curved in males and straight in females. As noted previously, they can be used in courtship, both to battle opposing males and also to grasp a female while mating. Not all earwigs do this, but some emit a foul-smelling liquid as a defensive strategy.

When I pick up the local earwigs, I notice an acrid smell on my fingers, not unlike a bad battery. Research found that 10 or more earwigs per kilogram imparted a significant taste to the wine. The same paper also found that earwig feces also affect wine quality. The giant earwig also known as the St. Helena earwig was the largest of all, reaching more than three inches in length — including very formidable pincers.

This earwig was found only on the small St. Helena Island in the Atlantic. It was a textbook example of the well-documented evolutionary trend where some species become super-sized on islands. It also, sadly, is a textbook example of the vulnerability of island wildlife. The giant earwig has not been found alive since As is the case with many insects, its decline and eventual disappearance were scarcely noted.

But the reasons appear to be the usual list that cause island species to disappear: invasive predators, loss of habitat and possibly even collection of the stones that offered earwig hiding spots. Some have suggested the pincers make them look like earrings, and others that their wings resemble ears. But it seems most likely as this ties to a bit of folklore: the old story goes that insects climb into the ear, and then burrow into the brain. And, as many sources note, earwigs are unlikely to climb into your ear.

Earwigs are nocturnal. They take refuge in cozy, dark environments, like building cracks, lettuce leaves, and under shoes. Would an ear make a nice refuge if an earwig stumbled across it? In fact, numerous reports — some published in the scientific literature — verify that this horror does indeed happen. Then, bathed in brilliant illumination from the otoscope, a female earwig…cautiously emerged, to the relief of insect, child and father.

The letter details other incidents in which earwigs were indeed found in ears. Some reports claim the pincers can pierce the ear drum. A nightmarish version of this scenario was even explored in a horror episode by Rod Serling , of Twilight Zone fame. And I have to admit, the research unusual as it may be gives me new respect for these insects. Take a closer look, and even household pests are fascinating creatures. Please note that all comments are moderated and may take some time to appear.

Great article! I look forward to sharing this information with my granddaughter, who loves bugs of all kinds. I will show her how to tell the difference between male and female, and will tell her what wonderful mothers the females are.

I enjoyed this read very much. Thank you! When earwigs molt or shed their shells, the entire shell is softer, but the forceps quickly harden as does the shell. A good indication is the color; usually a darker chitin means that the shell has hardened. Forceps are not dangerous to humans, but they can pinch a finger and if the earwig is an adult, the pinch can be unpleasant.

If there are concerns after being "pinched," consult a doctor. Could you tell me if you think they are roaches or waterbugs? I have looked at the pictures and am not sure if they really look like either. Call Residential Commercial. What Are Earwig Pincers? Brown bugs with prongs pointing from their backs.