Earwigs exist worldwide, except for Antarctica. Forest earwigs usually live in damp, shady places like under leaves or fallen trees. We can also find them in our homes, mostly in basements or bathrooms, where wet and shady places exist. They feed on plant material, flowers, carcasses and bugs [1, 2, 3].
Earwigs vary in size and have elongated, flattened bodies ranging from light brown with dark markings to reddish brown and black. They have six legs and a thread-like antenna that measures about half their body length. The most common feature is the claw protruding from the back of the abdomen. Earwigs also have two pairs of wings, with the hind wings usually folding under the forewings. Not all species fly, and those do so only for short distances [1].
Key Functions
● Beneficial animals that feed on aphids, aphids and mites, among others
● Helps to avoid damage to crops, fruits, ornamental plants, etc.
Common Species
There are about 2,000 species of two-tailed terns worldwide, most of which are in tropical regions (1). Six species belong to three families in Sweden: Dwarf Earwig, Common Earwig, and Anisolabididae [3].
Some species to discover in nature:
● European Earwig (forficula auricularia)
Artfakta – European Earwig 
● Short-winged Earwig (Apterygid media)
Artfakta – Short-winged earwig
● Forest Earwig (Chelidurella acanthopygia)
Artfakta – Forest Earwig
● Lesser Earwig (Labia minor)
Artfakt – Lesser Earwig
More knowledge: Artfakta – Earwig
Sources
June 2023, TÄNKOM | Revised February 2024 RETHINK
