Dermaptera
Guides
Anisolabis
Anisolabis is a genus of earwigs in the subfamily Anisolabidinae, with most species occurring in Asia. The genus name derives from the asymmetrical male cerci, with the right cercus more acute than the left. The best-studied species is Anisolabis maritima, the maritime earwig, which has been extensively researched for its social behavior, sexual selection, and maternal care. Other species such as A. annulipes are known agricultural pests.
Chelisoches morio
black earwig
Chelisoches morio, commonly known as the black earwig, is a cosmopolitan earwig species in the family Chelisochidae. Adults are uniformly jet black and among the largest earwigs, reaching up to 36 mm in length. The species exhibits extended maternal care, with females guarding eggs and feeding first-instar nymphs before they disperse. Males possess distinctive widely separated, serrated cerci that differ markedly from female morphology. The species has been investigated as a potential biological control agent due to its predatory habits and high consumption rates of agricultural pests.
Chrysops cincticornis
Ring-clawed Deer Fly
Chrysops cincticornis is a deer fly in the family Tabanidae, first described by Walker in 1848. It is commonly known as the Ring-clawed Deer Fly. The species has been documented in Vermont and other parts of the United States, with 291 observations recorded on iNaturalist. Research on this species has focused on its oviposition behavior and fecundity, with laboratory studies showing females deposit eggs in gelatinous masses on mud substrates near water, averaging 156 eggs per female.
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Doru is a genus of earwigs in the family Forficulidae, established by Burr in 1907. It belongs to the subfamily Forficulinae and is part of the diverse group of Eudermaptera within the order Dermaptera. The genus has been documented through over 4,900 observations on iNaturalist, indicating it is relatively well-observed in nature. Doru species are found within the broader distribution of Forficulidae, which has a cosmopolitan distribution with particular diversity in temperate and tropical regions.
Euborellia annulata
ring-legged earwig
Euborellia annulata is a predatory earwig species in the family Anisolabididae, originally described by Fabricius in 1793. It has been extensively studied as a biological control agent, particularly for lepidopteran pests in corn agroecosystems. The species exhibits five nymphal instars, sexual dimorphism in forceps size and predatory behavior, and is known for its aggressive predation on soft-bodied insect larvae and eggs.
Euborellia annulipes
Ring-legged Earwig, Ringlegged Earwig
Euborellia annulipes, commonly known as the ring-legged earwig, is a widespread earwig species in the family Anisolabididae. It has been introduced to many regions worldwide and is recognized as a significant natural biological control agent in agricultural systems, particularly in banana groves and cornfields. The species exhibits notable parental care behavior by females, who remain sedentary to guard eggs and nymphs. Males are more mobile and frequently engage in egg cannibalism, though they can distinguish their own offspring from unrelated eggs and reduce cannibalism accordingly. The species has been studied extensively for its predatory activity against pests including Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm) and its response to agricultural management practices.
Euborellia cincticollis
African earwig
Euborellia cincticollis is a species of earwig in the family Anisolabididae, commonly known as the African earwig. It has been introduced to California, where its biology has been studied. The species belongs to a genus containing several widespread earwig species, some of which are notable predators in agricultural systems.
Forficula
earwigs
Forficula is the largest genus of earwigs, containing at least 68 species. The genus was established by Linnaeus in 1758 and is native to Afro-Eurasia, primarily Europe, though it now occurs on all continents except Antarctica. The best known species is Forficula auricularia, a common household and agricultural pest that has been introduced to North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Members of this genus exhibit maternal care of eggs and nymphs, a rare trait among insects.
Forficulidae
common earwigs
Forficulidae is a large family of earwigs containing over 70 genera and more than 500 described species. Members possess the characteristic forceps-like cerci at the abdomen tip that define the order Dermaptera. The family includes notable species such as the European earwig (Forficula auricularia), which has been introduced globally and studied extensively for its agricultural impacts. Forficulidae was formerly treated as a suborder (Forficulina) but is now classified within the suborder Neodermaptera.
Labia minor
lesser earwig, small earwig
Labia minor is a small earwig species, 4–7 mm in length including pincers, distinguished by its dull yellow-brown to chocolate brown coloration and less shiny appearance compared to the common earwig. It is notable as the first Dermapteran species to have its genome sequenced by the Darwin Tree of Life project. The species exhibits exceptional maternal care behavior, with females guarding eggs and feeding offspring for 1–2 weeks after hatching—a rarity among insects. Unlike many earwigs, it flies frequently and possesses visible hind wings.
Labidura
striped earwigs
Labidura is a genus of earwigs in the family Labiduridae, established by Leach in 1815. The genus includes approximately nine species, with Labidura riparia being the most widespread and cosmopolitan member. Labidura riparia is notable as a predator of agricultural pests, including the Asian corn borer and Mediterranean fruit fly pupae. The Saint Helena earwig (Labidura herculeana), now possibly extinct, was the largest known earwig species. Several Labidura species exhibit subsocial maternal care of eggs and young.
Labidura riparia
shore earwig, tawny earwig, striped earwig, riparian earwig
Labidura riparia is a cosmopolitan earwig species found primarily in tropical to subtropical regions. It exhibits complex subsocial behavior with maternal care of eggs and young. The species is a generalist predator valued for biological pest control, with documented predation on Lepidoptera larvae, insect eggs, and crop pests including the Asian corn borer and Mediterranean fruit fly pupae. Males possess two functional penises but show a 90% preference for the right penis during copulation, a behavioral asymmetry unique among earwigs.
Labiduridae
striped earwigs
Labiduridae is a family of earwigs commonly known as striped earwigs, containing approximately 72 species across seven genera in three subfamilies. Members are moderate to large in size with cylindrical bodies, well-developed wings, and notably long antennae. The family exhibits cosmopolitan distribution and includes well-known species such as Labidura riparia (tawny earwig) and Nala lividipes. Many species display subsocial maternal care and predatory habits, with some serving as biological control agents of agricultural pests.
Labiinae
little earwigs
Labiinae is a cosmopolitan subfamily of small, winged earwigs commonly known as little earwigs. Members are generally less than 1.5 cm in length. The subfamily includes eight genera and is classified within the family Spongiphoridae.
Marava
little earwigs
Marava is a genus of small earwigs in the family Spongiphoridae, containing more than 50 described species. The genus has a broad distribution centered in the Americas, though at least one species, M. arachidis, is cosmopolitan and has been introduced to many regions worldwide. Members of this genus are associated with stored organic materials, animal housing, and plant environments. Some species exhibit predatory behavior and have been investigated for biological control applications.
Paralabella curvicauda
Curve-tailed earwig
Paralabella curvicauda is a species of earwig in the family Spongiphoridae, characterized by its distinctive curved forceps (cerci) that give the species its name. The species has a broad distribution across the Neotropics, with extensive records throughout Brazil and presence in Africa, Australia, the Caribbean, and Middle America. Like other earwigs, it possesses the typical forceps-like cerci at the abdomen tip and exhibits hemimetabolous development.
Spongiphorinae
little earwigs
Spongiphorinae is a subfamily of small earwigs erected by Karl Wilhelm Verhoeff in 1902, commonly known as "little earwigs." It belongs to the superfamily Forficuloidea and family Spongiphoridae. The subfamily contains approximately nine genera, including the type genus Spongiphora. Some species, such as Marava arachidis, have achieved cosmopolitan distribution through human association.
Vostox
Vostox is a genus of earwigs established by Burr in 1911, comprising more than 20 described species distributed across the Americas. As members of the family Spongiphoridae, these earwigs are characterized by reduced or absent wings and small body size. The genus is relatively well-documented, with 513 observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Vostox excavatus
Vostox excavatus is a species of earwig in the family Spongiphoridae, described from western Mexico in 1961. It belongs to a genus of small, delicate earwigs often found in arid and semi-arid environments. The species name 'excavatus' refers to a concave or hollowed feature, likely describing a diagnostic morphological character. Records indicate it occurs in Baja California Sur and Sinaloa.