Earwig

Earwig is the common name for any of the insects comprising the order Dermaptera, characterized by chewing mouthparts, incomplete metamorphis membranous wings folded underneath short leathery forewings (tegmina), and an abdomen that extends well beyond the wings, and frequently, though not always, ends in a pair of forceps-like structures termed cerci. The order is relatively small among insecta, with about 1800 recorded species placed into three extant suborders (and one extinct suborder).

Earwigs are quite common globally, with the exception of the polar regions. Their name is tied to a mistaken belief that they will crawl into a human ear and burrow into the brain to lay their eggs. In reality, there is no evidence that they transmit disease or otherwise harm humans or other animals—despite their nickname pincher bug.

Indeed earwigs provide important functions for the ecosystem and for humans. Ecologically, they consume a wide variety of plant and animal matter, including colver, other insects, ripe fruit and garbage, while being consumed by various invertebrates and vertebrates Members of the Hemimerina suborder feed on fungi on the skin of giant rats without harm to the rats. For humans, they can be beneficial for a garden when they prey on other insects. They may also become a nuisance because of their habit of positioning themselves within leaves and feeding on soft plant tissues, or eating the blossoms of ornamental plants.