Forficulina

Definition

A suborder of earwigs (order Dermaptera) comprising the modern, forceps-bearing earwigs with well-developed cerci; treated as a synonym of Neodermaptera in current taxonomy. Members possess the characteristic pincer-like terminal appendages and include the majority of extant dermapteran diversity, distinguished from the more basal, reduced-cerci suborders Archidermaptera (extinct) and Eodermaptera.

Etymology

From Forficula (type genus of typical earwigs, from Latin forfex 'shears, scissors') + -ina (diminutive/taxonomic suffix).

Example

The common European earwig Forficula auricularia belongs to Forficulina, as do the cosmopolitan household pests in family Labiduridae and the robust, heavily sclerotized members of family Chelisochidae.

Synonyms

• Neodermaptera
• Catadermaptera

Related Terms

• Dermaptera
• Archidermaptera
• Eodermaptera
• Neodermaptera
• cercus
• forceps
• earwig

Usage Notes

Forficulina is the older name (Latreille, 1810) but Neodermaptera has priority in modern classifications; the two are treated as objective synonyms. The suborder encompasses approximately 2,000 described species across eight families, including Forficulidae, Labiduridae, and Spongiphoridae. Distinguished from extinct suborders by the presence of well-developed, articulated forceps and modern wing venation patterns when wings are present.