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European Earwig — printable fact sheet
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European Earwig
Forficula auricularia
The European earwig is a small, elongated insect known for its distinctive forceps-like pincers at the end of its abdomen. It is typically brown with lighter legs and measures about 12–15 mm in length. This species is nocturnal and spends the day hiding in moist, dark crevices, …
Did you know?
- European earwigs can produce a foul-smelling liquid from glands near their rear as a defense mechanism against predators.
- European earwigs are one of the few insect species where mothers actively care for their eggs and young. Their pincers are used primarily for defense and mating rituals, not for pinching humans. Despite their name, they do not crawl into people's ears.
What I learned
Draw the european earwig
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