European Earwigs

What Do European Earwigs Look Like?

European earwigs (Forficula auricularia) have a distinctive and easily recognizable appearance:

• Size: About 1/2 to 5/8 inch (12–15 mm) long as adults.
• Color: Reddish-brown head and thorax; the abdomen is yellowish-brown with darker bands.
• Body Shape: Flattened, elongated body that allows them to slip into narrow spaces.
• Wings: They have two sets of wings—short, leathery forewings and membranous hindwings folded underneath—but they rarely fly.
• Pincers: Most distinctive feature is the forceps-like cerci (pincers) at the rear of the abdomen: Males have curved, robust pincers. Females have straighter, thinner pincers.
• Antennae: Long and thread-like, with multiple segments.
• Legs: Six legs, adapted for crawling and gripping surfaces.

European earwigs are nocturnal and prefer damp, dark areas. They are often found under mulch, stones, or in crevices and may enter homes during cooler months.

Where Are European Earwigs Found?

European earwigs (Forficula auricularia) are found in a wide range of habitats across North America, Europe, and many other temperate regions globally. Originally native to Europe, they were accidentally introduced to North America in the early 20th century and have since become well-established invasive pests in many regions.

Geographic Distribution

Global Presence

Native to: Most of Europe, parts of Western Asia, and North Africa

Introduced and established in:

• North America (most of the United States and southern Canada)
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Parts of South America

In North America, they are most commonly found:

• Along the Pacific Coast (California, Oregon, Washington)
• In the Northeast and Midwest (New York, Michigan, Illinois)
• Expanding into more central and southern states due to increased urbanization and climate adaptability

Local Habitats & Microenvironments

European earwigs prefer dark, damp, and cool environments, which means they are most commonly found:

Outdoors

• Under rocks, logs, mulch, leaf litter, and flower pots
• Inside compost piles or under woodpiles
• In the thatch layer of lawns and dense vegetation
• Around irrigated garden beds, especially where moisture is retained
• Under loose bark, especially on dying or fallen trees

They’re particularly abundant in:

• Irrigated landscapes
• Vegetable gardens
• Orchards, especially those with decaying fruit or heavy mulch layers

Indoors

European earwigs often enter homes when outdoor conditions become too dry, hot, or cold. Once inside, they are typically found in:

• Basements
• Laundry rooms
• Bathrooms
• Under sinks, behind baseboards, or in wall voids
• Garages, especially near doors and stored boxes

Indoor infestations often peak in late summer to early fall, when outdoor populations are at their highest and conditions begin to change.

What Do European Earwigs Eat?

European earwigs (Forficula auricularia) are omnivorous scavengers with a highly opportunistic and adaptable diet. Their feeding habits make them both beneficial and destructive, depending on the environment and available food sources:

Plant Material

They frequently feed on a wide range of soft and tender vegetation, especially:

• Seedlings and young shoots
• Leaves (especially of lettuce, cabbage, and corn)
• Flowers and petals (e.g., dahlias, marigolds, zinnias)
• Fruits and vegetables, including strawberries, raspberries, apricots, peaches, and tomatoes
• Grain crops, particularly corn silks, which can reduce pollination

Insects and Invertebrates

European earwigs are also predatory, particularly at night, feeding on:

• Aphids
• Mites
• Scale insects
• Thrips
• Insect eggs and pupae
• Small caterpillars
• Other soft-bodied arthropods

Decaying Organic Matter

They are natural decomposers and will readily feed on:

• Dead plant matter
• Compost
• Rotting wood
• Fungus and mold
• Animal carcasses or decomposing insects

Household Food Sources (Occasionally)

Inside homes, they may nibble on:

• Crumbs
• Pet food
• Greasy residue
• Stored fruits or vegetables

While not a major pantry pest, they may be drawn to any moist organic material left out overnight.

Feeding Behavior

• Nocturnal foragers: They feed primarily at night and hide in dark, moist crevices during the day.
• Opportunistic eaters: Their diet depends on availability; they switch between plant, insect, and decaying material depending on conditions.

European Earwig Life Cycle

The life cycle of the European earwig (Forficula auricularia) follows a gradual metamorphosis, also known as incomplete metamorphosis, consisting of three main stages: egg, nymph, and adult:

Egg Stage

• Timing: Eggs are typically laid in late fall through early spring, depending on climate.
• Location: Females dig shallow chambers 2–3 inches underground and lay their eggs in protected, moist soil.
• Egg Count: A female lays 30 to 60 white or cream-colored eggs per clutch.
• Care: Unusually for insects, females guard and groom the eggs, protecting them from mold and predators until they hatch.
• Hatching Time: Eggs take 1 to 3 months to hatch, depending on temperature and soil moisture.

Nymph Stage

• Description: Nymphs resemble miniature adults but are wingless, lighter in color, and have underdeveloped cerci(pincers).
• Instars: They undergo 4 to 5 molts (instars) before reaching adulthood.
• Development Time: Nymph development takes 45 to 70 days, depending on environmental conditions.
• Feeding: Nymphs begin feeding soon after hatching, consuming soft organic material and small insects.
• During this stage, they are vulnerable to predators, often remain close to the nest initially, and highly active at night, just like adults

Adult Stage

• Mature Size: Adults grow to 12–15 mm long
• Color: Dark reddish-brown with fully developed pincers and short wings (though they rarely fly)
• Reproductive Maturity: Reached shortly after final molt
• Lifespan: Adults can live up to one year, often overwintering to reproduce the following season
• Most adults are present by mid-summer, peaking in late summer to early fall, which is when they are most often seen indoors or causing garden damage.

Seasonal Life Cycle Summary (Temperate Climates)

• Fall: Adults mate; females dig burrows and begin egg-laying
• Winter: Eggs overwinter underground; females guard eggs
• Spring: Eggs hatch; nymphs begin feeding and growing
• Summer: Nymphs mature into adults; peak population density and plant feeding
• Late Summer/Fall: Adults seek shelter indoors; breeding begins again

In warmer climates, multiple overlapping generations may occur in a single year, while in colder regions, typically only one generation per year is completed.

Reproductive Behavior & Maternal Care (Unique Trait)

European earwigs are one of the few insects that exhibit maternal care:

• The female cleans and guards the eggs to prevent fungal infections
• She remains with the newly hatched nymphs, protecting them for up to a week
• This increases early survival rates and helps explain their success as an invasive species