EARWIG, Forficula, a genus of orthopterous insects, recently subdivided into a num ber of genera, and forming the family forficulidcs, which many entomologists constitute into a distinct order, dermaptera (Gr. leather-winged). These insects indeed connect the true orthoptera with the eoleoptera. Their legs are formed for running, and not for leaping; their wing-covers (elytra)—which are very small, and hide only a small part of the abdomen—are of firmer substance than in the other orthoptera; the wings, of which there are two sets—hind and fore wings—are curiously folded under them, both longi tudinally, in a fan-like manner, and transversely; the organs of the mouth resemble those of the true orthoptera, with which also earwigs agree in the important character of semi-complete metamorphosis; the larvae and plume much resembling the perfect insect, running about and feeding in the same manner, but the larvm being destitute of wings and wing-covers, the pupae having them only in a rudimentary state. Earwigs have the body narrow, and of nearly equal breadth throughout, the head exposed, the man dibles very strong and horny, the antennae long and thread-shaped. The abdomen bears at its extremity a large pair of forceps, apparently of use as an instrument of defence. Earwigs abound in moist situations, as under the decayed bark of trees, under stones, among decaying straw, etc. They feed both on animal and vegetable food; the Comatox E. (E aurmcularia), very abundant in Britain and in most parts of Europe, is troublesome to gardeners by eating the leaves of plants and the petals of fine flowers; but the injury which it does is probably more than compensated, particularly as to field-crops, by the destruction of multitudes of smaller insects, as thrips, aphis.
etc. The appearance of this insect is by no means agreeable, and its mandibles and for ceps are suggestive of unpleasant possibilities, which, however, would seem never to be realized, although it is a very frequent visitor of houses, particularly those of which the walls are covered with foliage. It is curious how extensively prevalent the notion is that earwigs creep into the ear. To this they o*e their English name (E. from ear, and Sax. wicga, a worm or grub), and their names in many languages, as the French perceoreille, the German Ohrwurm, etc. Newman, in his Introduction to the History of Insects, says: " The shape of these wings (the hind ones), when fully opened, is nearly that of -the human ear; and from this circumstance it seems highly probable that the original name of this insect was earwing." It is agreeable to the general habits of the E. to creep into holes, yet there is apparently no authenticated instance of an E. entering the ear of a human being. Of their habit of creeping into holes, particularly to hide during the day, gardeners take advantage to make earwig traps of different descriptions.
An interesting peculiarity in the habits of these insects rerbains to be noticed. The female E. sits upon her eggs and hatches them like a hen; she also gathers her young ones around her and under her in the most affectionate manner. The observations of De Geer on this point have been confirmed by Mr. Spence and others.