Common Earwig

Name: Common Earwig

Scientific name: Forficula auricularia

Category: Minibeasts

Nature Stars: 20

What are nature stars?

About: Earwigs grow to about 1 cm long. They are nocturnal, scavenging on plant and animal matter. Earwigs hide in crevices and under stones during the daytime. Females make for excellent mothers, guarding the nst of eggs and then caring for the youngsters.

How to identify: Seven species of Earwig have been recorded in Britain, although only three are at all common or widespread. The Common Earwig is the largest of these three.

Where: Found throughout the country

Natural Superpowers

• Predator: 30
• Agility: 50
• Rarity: 20
• Cute factor: 10
• Traveller: 20

Fantastic fact: The Giant Earwig is a very rare animal that lives on the south coast. The biggest Earwig in Europe, it grows up to 2cm long. The largest Earwig in the world is the St Helena Earwig, which grows up to 8cm!

Photograph credit: Gilles Gonthier