The secrets of earwigs

PRESTON — I’ve agelong believed earwigs to beryllium nasty vermin that snuck onto nan Ark because I’m judge Noah wouldn’t person purposely saved them from drowning. Now my sentiment has been somewhat altered. Earwigs are nasty vermin for 2-3 months and nan remainder of nan twelvemonth they are neutral to moreover beneficial predators connected different gait and plot pests. The difference?… Education.

The type we person successful our area is nan European Earwig (Forficula auricularia). It is 1 of astir 2000 varieties worldwide. They are opportunistic omnivores, feeding connected immoderate works aliases animal worldly is astir readily disposable and tasty astatine nan time. These pincher bugs, arsenic they are sometimes called, person claw-like appendages called cerci protruding from nan rear of their abdomen. These are utilized for hunting, defense and mating.

There are 2 fascinating attributes that I’ve learned astir earwigs that were chartless to maine before. First, nan female tends and defends her nest of eggs and past young for nan first 2 stages of their life. She regularly cleans nan eggs to forestall fungal maturation while waiting for them to hatch. Once nan eggs hatch, she feeds and defends nan young until they are fresh to task retired connected their own.

The 2nd fascinating truth is that earwigs tin fly. After recovering from that disturbing visual, I figured it wasn’t existent because I’ve seen tons of earwigs and nary pinch wings. Besides, wherever would they put them? The reply is nan astir intriguing. They person mini elytra aliases helping covers connected their backmost that mistakenly look for illustration a elemental thorax. Their thin, clear wings are folded origami-style nether these covers and fold retired to springiness short and unsteady flight. Consequently, they seldom return to nan air.

Earwigs play an important domiciled arsenic a beneficial predator, eating mites, aphids, standard and different insects harmful to plants. Most of nan twelvemonth they make a surviving filling this predatory domiciled while eating detritus, mold, and immoderate other they find handy.

Unfortunately, these fair-weather friends move into traitors erstwhile flowers, fruits and vegetables go available. While still enjoying an aphid appetizer, they for illustration ripening consequence and plot nutrient arsenic nan main dish. Whatever is successful play is what’s connected their menu.

Dealing pinch this fickle behaviour is difficult and frustrating. Many commercialized insecticides database earwigs connected nan label. However, their wont of hiding and moving to caller nutrient sources makes accordant power troublesome. Non-selective insecticides besides harm different beneficial insects for illustration pollinators. Making various versions of pitfall and corrugated cardboard traps tin beryllium successful. Also, exclusionary strategies specified arsenic banding astir character trunks tin beryllium very effective if nan earwigs are not already hiding wrong nan character canopy.