[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”squiggle-left” _builder_version=”4.24.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” width=”75%” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_module=”23371″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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Order: Dermaptera
Family: Forficulidae<\/p>\n
Earwigs found in Colorado were introduced in the 1950s, they are a common nuisance pest both indoors and outdoors. Occasionally, earwigs damage soft parts of plants, however, they mainly feed on smaller insects, including plant pests, like aphids.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The European earwig is about 1.6 cm (5\/8 inch) long and brown with a <\/span>dark red<\/span>\u00a0head. Younger earwigs look\u00a0<\/span>similar to<\/span>\u00a0adults, just smaller. Males are more strongly curved than females. A distinctive feature\u00a0<\/span>of earwigs\u00a0<\/span>is the pair of prominent forceps at the rear of the body. The European earwig is the only earwig found throughout most of Colorado. In extreme southern areas of the state, a second species, ring-legged earwig may be found.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”Quick Facts” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#F15625″ image_icon_width=”36px” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h3″ header_font=”|||on|||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”26px” background_color=”#FEBD3B” custom_margin=”|4%||4%|false|true” custom_padding=”4%|4%|4%|4%|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/divi-agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2022\/03\/adult-male-and-female-earwigs-1.jpeg” alt=”Adult male and female earwigs” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Adult male and female earwigs on a flower. Image credit: <\/em><\/span>Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org.<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/divi-agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2022\/03\/Adult-male-european-earwig-1.jpeg” alt=”Adult male european earwig” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Adult male European earwig. Image credit: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org.<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/divi-agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2022\/03\/Earwig-feeding-damage.jpeg” alt=”Earwig feeding damage” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Earwig feeding injury. Image credit: <\/em>Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org.<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/divi-agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2022\/03\/earwig-adults-on-alium-flower-at-night.jpeg” alt=”Earwig adults” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Earwig adults and brown garden snail on alium flower. Image credit: <\/em>Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org.<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F1F1F1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t <\/p>\n During the day they hide in dark, confined spaces, especially if it is moist. Typical hiding spots\u00a0<\/span>include<\/span>\u00a0under rugs or potted plants, in stacks of newspapers or similar locations.\u00a0<\/span>Common<\/span>\u00a0hiding spots outside\u00a0<\/span>include<\/span>\u00a0under rocks or stacked wood, in\u00a0<\/span>ear tips<\/span>\u00a0of sweet corn, and under various kinds of debris. Peak problems with earwigs occur<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>mid-July through mid-September.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t European earwigs\u00a0<\/span>are active at night and occasionally damage leafy plants like lettuce and some flower blossoms. They are often\u00a0<\/span>injuries caused by other insects like leaves curled by aphids and holes in fruit. <\/span>While European earwigs can be a nuisance indoors and outdoors, they\u00a0<\/span>may actually be considered beneficial since they feed on many plant pests such as aphids, mites and insect eggs. However, there are situations where control of earwigs is desired<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F1F1F1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t Clearing the area around the home of sheltering debris (including mulches) used by earwigs is an effective preventative measure.\u00a0<\/span>All cracks around doors and windows should be sealed to prevent entry.<\/span><\/p>\n Many earwigs can be trapped with rolled newspapers containing a food bait, or oil-based baits such as vegetable or fish oil in a small cup, which may help reduce numbers.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”CSU Extension Fact Sheet” url=”https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/docs\/pubs\/insect\/05533.pdf” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#F15625″ image_icon_width=”36px” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h2″ header_font_size=”36px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Download or view the CSU Extension’s PDF fact sheet for your reference.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t <\/p>\n Alston, D., and A. Terbeau. 2011.<\/strong> European Earwig. Utah State University – Extension. Available https:\/\/extension.usu.edu\/pests\/research\/european-earwig<\/a><\/p>\n\n
Life history and habits<\/h2>\n
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Injury and nuisance<\/h2>\n
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Management<\/h2>\n
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Additional reading<\/h2>\n