unknown earwig - Labidura riparia

Moved

Moved from Earwigs.

… Jim McClarin, 19 December, 2006 - 3:44pm

Feet?

Do you have any images showing the 2nd tarsal segment? That would probably be enough to take it to family. Even without that, the cerci and the color patterns on the back definitely match those of Labidura riparia images I've seen.

Let's try elimination:

couplet #1 of the key on page 3 of this pdf file has 12-16 antennomeres vs. 10-30. It's hard to count them in this image, but I can tell there are way more than 16. That eliminates Forficulidae and Chelisocidae.

The forceps on Pygidicranidae bend inward more than with this specimen, while Carcinophoridae are bent asymmetrically.

What's left? Labiidae, which also has 16 or fewer antennomeres

Which brings us right back to Labiduridae. I would say it's safe to ID this as Labiduridae, which Nomina Nearctica shows with only the one species. Of course, the collection location is close enough to the border that one couldn't rule out a Mexican species.

… Chuck Entz, 17 December, 2006 - 9:19pm

More pix

Here are the tarsomeres, Chuck.

… Jim McClarin, 19 December, 2006 - 4:57am

Labiduridae for sure

The key feature here is whether the 2nd tarsomere extends underneath the last one, whether it's dilated or elongated. I don't see how that could be true here. It looks like the 2nd tarsomere is normal in shape. In all three of the keys I have access to, that leads straight to Labiduridae or Labidura. Unless there's some newly immigrant species whose presence in the US is unknown to the writers of those keys and of Nomina Nearctica, this should be Labidura riparia.

… Chuck Entz, 19 December, 2006 - 7:28am

So be it then.

Thanks for working on this one, Chuck.

… Jim McClarin, 19 December, 2006 - 3:36pm

24 antennomeres

Hi Chuck,
I zoomed in on the antenna in my only original photo of this specimen and was easily able to count antennomeres. Later, when time permits, I'll darken the image in PhotoShop to see if I can get a reasonable view of tarsomeres. Thanks for the help.

… Jim McClarin, 18 December, 2006 - 5:36am

Striped Earwig?

Possibly Labidura riparia. Predaceous on chinch bugs, mole crickets and other ground-dwelling species.

… Gloria Bolinger, 3 September, 2006 - 1:27pm

Well Gloria,

you've caused me to go googling. I found quite a few images labeled L. riparia, and although some had strong similarities, none were close enough to convince me. However, I think I have learned enough from my search to call this one a male.

… Jim McClarin, 3 September, 2006 - 2:57pm