Pest or prodigy? Heres what to know about the wide, wondrous world of earwigs, aka pincher bugs.
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Pincher bugs, also known as earwigs, are a bit startling to see when we pick up a garden planter or draw back the shower curtain, but if you can get past their look, they are actually fascinating little creatures. They nurture their young, are upstanding members of the ecosystem and, as far as pests go, they’re one of the easier ones to mitigate.
Here are some facts about pincher bugs, which might just prompt you to pause and consider them in a new light the next time you see one.
Earwigs are a common insect that can be found in yards and gardens worldwide. While they don’t cause extensive damage, an earwig infestation can be annoying for any gardener. Luckily there are many natural predators that help keep earwig populations under control. In this article we’ll take a look at 14 different animals that commonly eat earwigs.
Understanding Earwigs
Before diving into their predators, let’s first understand earwigs themselves. Earwigs are small, brown insects that get their name from the pincers or forceps on their abdomen that resemble human ears. There are over 1,900 different earwig species, but the European earwig is the most common in North America.
Earwigs are omnivores that feed on decaying plant material, fungi, and small insects They are mostly active at night and hide during the day in dark, damp places like under rocks, patio furniture, mulch, and flowerpots. Excessive moisture and organic mulches offer an ideal environment for earwigs to thrive
While earwigs don’t seriously damage plants, they may chew irregular holes in leaves flowers, and soft fruits. Their pinch is harmless to humans.
14 Common Earwig Predators
Fortunately, earwigs have many natural enemies that help keep their numbers in check:
1. Spiders
Common spiders like wolf spiders, garden spiders, and house spiders prey on earwigs. Their webs easily trap earwigs while spiders like the wolf spider hunt them down.
2. Birds
Many birds relish earwigs. Bluebirds, chickadees, thrushes, warblers, sparrows, wrens, and cardinals eagerly snap them up. Chickens also devour any earwigs they find while scratching in the garden.
3. Lizards
Some lizards are noted earwig eaters. Fence lizards, alligator lizards, and skinks all consume earwigs when they come across them.
4. Toads and Frogs
These amphibians eagerly consume insects like earwigs. Toads are especially voracious predators, eating up to 10,000 insects per year! When earwig populations spike, toads will hang out in the garden providing natural pest control.
5. Centipedes
Centipedes are fast-moving predatory arthropods with one pair of legs per body segment. They easily capture soft-bodied insects like earwigs under rocks, mulch, and leaf litter.
6. Insectivorous Mammals
Shrews and moles feed on insects and will eat earwigs when they come across them while burrowing.
7. Praying Mantises
With their strong front legs and patience, praying mantises easily capture any earwigs wandering by.
8. Wasps
Parasitoid wasps like the Ichneumon wasp lay eggs inside earwigs. When the eggs hatch, the larvae devour the earwig from the inside out.
9. Assassin Bugs
These true bugs use their sucking mouthparts to feed on the internal fluids of their prey which includes earwigs.
10. Bats
Some bats opportunistically feed on earwigs, especially the European species which shares the same habitat.
11. Tachinid Flies
These important biological control insects parasitize earwigs and other garden pests. The larvae eat the earwig after hatching from eggs attached to the earwig’s body.
12. Scorpions
Scorpions prey on earwigs, spiders, beetles, ants, and other small ground-dwelling arthropods.
13. Earwigs
Earwigs are actually cannibalistic at times, eating eggs and nymphs of other earwigs.
14. Snakes
Garter snakes and fossorial snakes like the rosy boa sometimes feed on earwigs when opportunities arise.
As you can see, earwigs fall victim to a wide array of predators both large and small. Birds, frogs, spiders invertebrates, reptiles, and mammals all help control earwig populations.
Earwig Defenses Against Predators
Earwigs have several defensive strategies to avoid becoming prey:
- Using their pincers to pinch predators
- Releasing stinky fluids from their abdomen to repel predators
- Hiding in cracks and under debris during the day
- Camouflage coloration that blends into their surroundings
TIM SHEPHERD/GETTY IMAGES
Every species of earwig we’ve studied so far act as dedicated parents. The European earwig (Forficula auricularia), which is the one that many of us regularly encounter, tends to her several dozen eggs for weeks, defending them from predators, keeping them clean and moving them around to keep them in the best temperatures, says Shepherd.
They also stick around after their eggs hatch. The female continues to provide care as her young develop into a more recognizable form called a nymph. “They provide food for their young much like birds do, bringing a piece of food to the nest or by regurgitating it,” says Dr. Joël Meunier, of the Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l’Insecte. However, “Fathers do not provide any care as they are chased away by the mothers before they lay their eggs.”
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Yes! Earwig races were held each year in the town of Sandspit, BC, in the 1960s and ’70s. “Most years the race seems to have been uneventful, but there was one unfortunate incident when a competitor was accidentally squashed by a glass,” says Shepherd. “The last-minute replacement turned out to be a winner and took the title!”
What Do Earwigs Do With Those Pincers Anyway? | Deep Look
FAQ
What is a natural predator of earwigs?
Natural enemies including toads, birds, and other predators may play an important role in some gardens. Chickens and ducks will consume many earwigs.
Why shouldn’t you kill an earwig?
Earwigs look like dangerous pests thanks to their menacing pincers, but they’re actually good to have around. Their pincers are used for defense. As long as you leave them alone, they’ll leave you alone. They feed on dead insects and decomposing plant matter, and that’s good for the health of your garden.
What eats earwigs at night?
These amphibians are skilled hunters and can consume a significant number of earwigs in a single night. Toads are particularly effective earwig predators because they are active at night, matching the nocturnal behaviour of earwigs.
What are the enemies of earwigs?
Earwigs can generally be seen feeding at night, however, during the day can be found hiding in plant material, underneath debris or just under the soil surface. Natural enemies of Earwigs are birds, lizards and other insect eating animals.