European Earwig (Forficula Auricularia)

Authors

Diane G. Alston, Utah State UniversityFollow
Andrew Tebeau, Utah State University

Document Type

Factsheet

Publisher

Utah State University Extension

Publication Date

8-1-2011

Abstract

The European earwig (Order Dermaptera, which means “skin wings” to describe their leathery wings) (Fig. 1) is native to Europe, western Asia, and parts of Africa. The common name “earwig” comes from a myth that the insect would climb into the ears of humans and chew into the brain, but this is false. The European earwig was first introduced into Utah in the early 1900s. Establishment and population growth have been remarkably successful in northern Utah.

Recommended Citation

Alston, Diane G. and Tebeau, Andrew, "European Earwig (Forficula Auricularia)" (2011). All Current Publications. Paper 899.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/extension_curall/899