#forficula dentata

[jenfoundabug]

Female (top) and male (bottom) earwigs. For many earwig species, the easiest way to gender an adult is to look at the forceps (aka cerci). Males tend to have larger and more curved pinchers, while females have straighter pinchers. But don't worry - both are harmless to humans <3

Forficula dentata, Northern California, US

[jenfoundabug]

BFFs sharing the same hidey hole.

Forficula dentata (earwig) and Tanystoma maculicolle (tule beetle)

Northern California

[jenfoundabug]

I discovered this adorable mother earwig with her clutch of eggs under a rock recently. Unlike most nonsocial insects, earwigs are excellent mothers. The female guards the eggs, cleans them, and keeps them warm. She doesn't even leave to eat. After about a week, the eggs hatch, and the female continues to protect, feed, and take care of her nymphs until their second molt (adulthood is 5-6 molts depending on the species). I felt bad for disturbing this lovely lady, so I very carefully put the rock back after taking a few pictures. (Other than the nesting behavior, you can tell this is a female because of the straight forceps. Males generally have curved ones. Also fun fact: earwigs can't really hurt you with their butt pinchers, and they don't want to be anywhere near your ear.) Forficula dentata, Northern California