Earwax | Facts & Information

Forficula auricularia, the European earwax or simply earwax is an omnivorous insect that belongs to the family forficulidae. Although for many it is frightening, it is a harmless insect that tends to make its way into the house to feed itself.

Earwax is native to Europe, Western Asia and North Africa. It was introduced to North America in the 20th century and has spread across much of the continent.

North American earwigs comprise two species, one that inhabits cold climates and the second that most closely resembles the European earwigs found in temperate zones.

Earwax Feed

It spends most of the day in dark and inaccessible places such as flowers, fruits, wood cracks, etc.it is active at night where it searches for almost anything from plant matter to small insects.

Although it is omnivorous, it is not considered a predator. Among the favorite plants are: Sisymbrium officinale, Trifolium repens and Dahlia variabilis.

They also feed on lower forms of plants, lichens and algae. Prefer meat or sugar even though plants contain an important source of natural food. Adults feed mostly on insects.

Features Earwax

Auricularia Forficula has an elongated body shape and brownish color, two pairs of wings and a pair of pliers. The antennae are composed of 11-14 segments. The mouth is of the masticular type. Males are polymorphic in weight, length and head width.

The pliers of males are strong and robust. The female's pincers are slightly smaller and straighter. Pliers are used in feeding, mating and self-defense.

Earwigs survive in cold habitats at an optimum temperature of 24 degrees. Adults can also tolerate lower temperatures. To avoid excessive moisture seek well-drained plants.

They are known for causing significant damage to flower crops, fruits, orchards, when the population of earwigs is found in large numbers.

Some of the vegetables they consume are: cabbage, celery, cauliflower, lettuce, potatoes, beets, cucumber, and others, and among the fruits most affected are: apples, peaches, plums, pears. The most important natural enemies are numerous species of birds.

It is 1-3cm long, 2-8 grams in weight. The most common colors are black, brown, yellow and cream.

Natural predators are frogs, birds and cockroaches.

Breeding Earwigs

Males find their perteners with the help of their olfactory sense. They sit with the girls in opposite directions, the contact being made at the abdomiinal level and in the pincer area.

If they are not disturbed, they can stay in this position for many hours. After mating the female can lay fertilized eggs.

Eggs are able to withstand low or high temperatures. Lay about 50 eggs. The life expectancy of earwax is 1-3 years.