Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Original Combination:
Forficesila annulipes Lucas 1847
Explanation of Names
From Latin annulus-"ring" + pes-"foot, leg".
Both the common and scientific names refer to the dark markings on the legs
Identification
A medium-sized dark-brown earwig with dark areas on the light-yellow legs ("black armbands"). Although the species has both winged and wingless forms, only the wingless ones are found in our area. Adults have antennae with 14-16 segments, the third and fourth (sometimes the fifth) from the end being white or pale.
Range
Occurs mainly in the southern U.S.
Its ability to live indoors and habit of hiding in dark places means it can show up just about anywhere people go.
Food
A voracious predator, it also eats all kinds of plant material, though it rarely bothers with live plants.
Life Cycle
The mother earwig lays a clutch of several dozen eggs, which she guards fiercely, also keeping them from getting dirty or dried out. The nymphs that hatch are like miniature adults, molting 4 or 5 times before becoming adults.
Remarks
A not-uncommon earwig in homes and gardens, though often displaced by other species such as the European Earwig. Whatever damage it does to crops like lettuce and strawberries is usually more than made up for by the greater damage it does to small slugs, caterpillars, termites, and many other pests.
See Also
African Earwig (Euborellia cincticollis) is very similar and sometimes has dark areas on the legs, but those tend to be less distinct and not as dark. Adults can be told apart by counting antennal segments: African Earwigs have 17-20 segments as opposed to 14-16 in the Ring-legged Earwig.
Internet References
species account with photos and references (John Capinera and Paul Choate, U. of Florida)
Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de France 2 5: 84–85 Hippolyte Lucas' species description (in French and Latin)
