Welcome To Our Earwig Learning Center

Habits & Behavior

There are about 2,000 species of earwigs, with 22 species in the United States. They are among the smaller insect orders. Earwigs are known for their forcep-like pincers on their abdomen. Earwigs do not use these pincers to harm humans. Instead, they are used to protect themselves and to grab prey. In the Austin area they are most commonly black in color and range from 1/4 to 1/2 inch long.

Earwigs are found on every continent except Antarctica. They are especially abundant and can be found throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. They are often found in warmer climates. Few earwigs survive winter outdoors in cold climates.

Because of this, earwigs are primarily a nuisance in the summer, particularly in July and August. They are nocturnal creatures that are active at night. During the day, they like to hide in dark, damp areas. If they make it inside your home, they will likely hide in the kitchen, bathroom or laundry area.

Reproduction

Earwigs undergo gradual metamorphosis. They go through various instars, or developmental stages. Once the eggs hatch, the first instar appears. The earwigs look similar to adults. As the earwig grows, it sheds its shell. As the shell is shed, the next stage is an earwig that is soft-bodied. The earwig appears whitish until the shell starts to harden.

If they receive adequate food, they can reproduce during warm weather and emerge as full adults before the summer ends.

Earwig mating season typically occurs in the fall and early winter months. The females carry around their eggs until they find the right location to lay them. Earwigs will often lay eggs in a spot under leaves, in soil, or in a crevice. The female earwig can lay anywhere from 20-80 eggs at a time.

Female earwigs are quite rare in that they are maternal. They are one of the few bugs that take care of their eggs. As they lay their eggs, the mother will look after the eggs. She will clean them of any parasites or fungi. Once hatched, the mother will continue to provide food to her young until they are ready to fend for themselves.

Diet

You may find earwigs outside under potted plants, leaves, and welcome mats. They like to hide under rocks, logs, and mulch. They are also attracted to light, so you might find them on your porch or deck at night. They are also found in cracks between bricks and pavers. Earwigs feed on plant buds and leaves. They eat decaying plant matter as well as healthy plant material. They also feed on dead insects and other small organisms.

Earwigs may attack corn silk and seedlings. A large number of earwigs can damage or kill seedlings and flowering plants.