CHAPTER XXII 

 ORDER DERMAPTERA* 



The Earwigs 



The winged members oj this order usually have four wings; but in 

 some of them the wings are wanting. The fore wings are leathery, very 

 small, without veins, and when at rest meet in a straight line on the back; 

 the hind wings, when well developed, are large, with radiating veins, and 

 when at rest are folded both lengthwise and crosswise. The mouth-parts 

 are formed for chewing. The caudal end of the body is furnished with a 

 pair of appendages, the cerci, which usually resemble forceps. The 

 metamorphosis is gradual or wanting. 



This order includes three families, Forficulidae, Arixeniidae and 

 Hemimeridse. The order is made up largely of the earwigs of the 

 family Forficulidae. These are long and narrow insects resembling 

 rove-beetles in the form of the body and in 

 having short and thickened fore wings (Fig. 

 538) ; but the earwigs are easily distinguished 

 from rove-beetles by the presence of a pair of 

 forceps-like appendages at the caudal end of 

 the body. 



The common name, earwig, was given to 

 these insects in England, and has reference to a 

 widely spread fancy that these insects creep 

 w H K^^ 1 into the ears of sleeping persons. Other similar 

 ifL rJ^^^TS names are applied to them in Europe, Ohr- 

 /f\ ilfflSi A Wurm in Germany and perceoreille in France. 

 The earwigs are rare in the northeastern 

 United States and Canada, but are more often 

 found in the South and on the Pacific Coast. 

 In Europe they are common, and often trouble- 

 some pests, feeding upon the corollas of fiowers, 

 fruits, and other vegetable substances. Some 

 species are carnivorous, feeding on other in- 

 sects and some are probably scavengers. They 

 are nocturnal, hiding in the day-time among leaves and in all kinds 

 of crevices, and coming out by night ; sometimes they are attracted 

 to lights. 



Earwigs are small or of moderate size; the living species measure 

 from 2.5 to 37 mm. in length. The body is narrow and flat. The 

 mouth-parts are fitted for chewing, and resemble in their more 

 general features those of the Orthoptera ; minute but distinct parag- 

 natha are present; and the second maxillae are incompletely fused. 



*Dermaptera : derma {Upua) , skin ; pteron {irrepov) , a wing. 

 (460) 



Fig. 538.— An 

 Labia minor, 



earwig, 

 male. 



