Earwigs are the victims of superstition. Contrary to all those myths, they do not enter the ears of sleeping humans. The name might actually come from the shape of the wing in some species, hence ‘ear wing’ was the intended name which was later corrupted into earwig.
The European Earwig (Forficula auricularia) is normally predatory on small insects, but it becomes a pest of flowers when prey becomes scarce.
Earwigs frighten many people also because of the pincers on the back of their abdomens. They use these pincers for defense and for sparing with rival earwigs. Earwigs also use them to fold their hind wings.
Females guard their clutch of eggs and the newly hatched baby earwigs. They keep the eggs free of parasites and fungi by licking them clean. After they hatch, a female delivers food to her offspring until they can take care of themselves.
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