Ringlegged Earwig – Euborellia annulipes
Ringlegged Earwig – Euborellia annulipes
Common Name: Ring-legged Earwig
Latin Name: Euborellia annulipes
Appearance:
The Ring-legged Earwig is a peculiar-looking bug with distinguishing characteristics. Its body is elongated and narrow, usually measuring between 0.5 and 1 inch. The term “ring-legged” refers to the black stripes or rings that adorn its legs. The body’s hue ranges from reddish-brown to black, and its abdomen is topped by pincers, or cerci, which resemble forceps. These pincers are employed in both defence and prey capture.
Plant Host:
Ring-legged Earwigs are scavengers and generalist predators. They are useful in gardens and agricultural settings even though they don’t directly feed on plants because they eat tiny insects and their larvae, which can destroy crops.
Territory:
Ring-legged Earwigs inhabit a diverse range of environments, such as woodlands, pastures, and gardens. They are found in numerous North American regions and have adapted to a wide range of environments.
Damages caused by Ring-legged Earwigs:
Ring-legged Earwigs are widely regarded as beneficial insects due to their predominant diet consisting of small insect parasites, including larvae, aphids, and mites. They can be beneficial for natural pest control by regulating the populations of pestilent insects. Nevertheless, they may occasionally consume tender plant stems or blossoms.
Life History and Habitat:
Ring-legged Earwigs change slowly over time, going through egg, nymph, and adult stages.
- Egg:Females put groups of eggs in safe places, like under bark or in the ground.
- Nymph:When they hatch, nymphs look like little versions of adults. They go through several moults before they become fully grown.
- Adult:The grown-up Legs with rings. Even though earwigs have fully formed wings, they are not known to be able to fly. They only come out at night and hide during the day.