38 Dermaptera

Dermaptera

The Dermaptera (“derma” = “skin”), or earwigs, include about 2000 species worldwide. One species, Forficula auricularia (Forficulidae), is found locally. This species was introduced to North America in the early 20th century. There is also a larger, darker species found along the southern coast of BC, usually near beaches and seaweed.

Earwigs are nocturnal omnivores. Several species, including the introduced one found in Prince George, are considered nuisance pests as they can move into houses; they can also be smelly. They can damage agricultural crops if numbers are high. They are paurometabolous, with terrestrial nymphs. Adults exhibit a considerable degree of parental care, cleaning, rotating, and spreading out their eggs.

Adult earwigs have relatively dorsoventrally flattened bodies, short wings, and often very pronounced cerci. They will, when threatened, lift the tip of the abdomen and look threatening; however, they are harmless.