Baby Earwigs - Forficula auricularia

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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Earwigs (Dermaptera) » Common Earwigs (Forficulidae) » Forficula » European Earwig (Forficula auricularia) » immature stages (Forficula auricularia immature stages)

Photo#376287

Copyright © 2010 Mandy Howe

Baby Earwigs - Forficula auricularia

Enumclaw, Forested Unincorporated King County, Washington, USA
March 11, 2010
Size: 1mm eggs, 2mm babies

I was out rock flippin' this morning and found a cluster of pretty little eggs under a rock. I immediately assumed they were earwig eggs since I've seen them before in field guides. It was literally only 15 minutes into the warmth of the house that they quickly began emerging. Mama wasn't around, or maybe I scared her off, so I don't know what species these are. European Earwigs are pretty much the norm around here, though, and have been the only kind I've found on the property. I'll try to keep these little ones alive and rear them to adulthood. I'm sure they are omnivorous, but I have no current ideas on what I should feed them... so any tips will be greatly appreciated!

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Contributed by Mandy Howe on 11 March, 2010 - 3:29pm
Last updated 30 April, 2010 - 7:13pm

Moved

Moved from Forficulidae.

… Mandy Howe, 30 April, 2010 - 7:13pm

Moved

Moved from Earwigs.

… Mandy Howe, 29 April, 2010 - 8:18pm

Probably Forficulidae

On the second image I think I can just barely make out the characteristic forficulid foot shape on the left middle leg. Do you have any images showing a foot, from the side, in focus?

As for care: they can't handle drying out. They hide under rocks and in leaf litter during the day because they need cool, damp conditions. When you're taking pictures of them in bright, warm light, let them escape to someplace dark and cool every once in a while so they can cool down and re-hydrate

I'm not sure specifically what to feed them, but they are, indeed, omnivorous. As they get older, they can be expected to eat lots of smaller insects, in addition to (mostly dead) plant matter. Whatever you do feed them (dead leaves and ground up dog food, perhaps?), keep it moist.

… Chuck Entz, 12 March, 2010 - 9:32pm

New photo added

Not sure if it shows what you're looking for. My camera can't get much close than that. Thanks for the rearing tips. I've been keeping them moist and they have been eating the spinach I put in the container. I can tell because their insides are green now, haha. They're cute little guys, that's for sure!

… Mandy Howe, 13 March, 2010 - 5:55pm

Yup

Definitely Forficulidae

… Chuck Entz, 14 March, 2010 - 11:08am

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