Earwigs

Earwigs, scientifically known as Dermaptera, are small insects characterized by their distinctive pincer-like appendages called cerci, located at the end of their abdomens. Despite their ominous appearance, these cerci are primarily used for defense and mating rituals rather than for aggression towards humans. Earwigs are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of organic matter including plants, insects, and decaying material. They are nocturnal creatures, hiding in dark, damp areas during the day and becoming active at night. While earwigs are often considered garden pests due to their appetite for foliage, they also serve beneficial roles by consuming other pests like aphids and caterpillars. Their name comes from the old European myth that they crawl into the ears of sleeping humans, though this is purely a myth with no basis in reality.