EARWIGS— Order DERMAPTERA. 
The small group of insects popularly called Earwigs and known 
in scientific terminology as Dermaptera, Euplexoptera, or 
Forficulidae, at the present time usually given ordinal rank, has 
been associated in entomological literature so long with the true 
Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Locusts, etc.) that it seems 
desirable to treat the New England forms in this Manual. 
Earwigs are insects of small or medium size, with direct develop- 
ment, and an elongate body bearing at the hinder end a pair of 
pincer-like appendages. The metathoracic wings, when present 
and functional, are membranous for the most part, complexly 
folded, and nearly covered by the horny mesothoracic wing- 
covers, which meet in the median line. The legs are short, 
similar in form, with three-jointed tarsi. The hinder part of the 
dorsum of the abdomen is exposed and of horny consistency. In 
their elongate form, exposed abdomen, short legs, abbreviated 
wing-covers, active movements, avoidance of light, and scaven- 
ging habits the Earwigs strikingly resemble the rove-beetles 
(Staphylinidae) and in consequence are sometimes collected for 
them by coleopterists. They may be at once distinguished, 
however, by the forceps-like appendages at the end of the body. 
The forceps or pincers are homologous with the cerci of other 
insects and are characteristic of the group. ^ They are usually 
more highly developed in the male than in the female and young 
(in which they are much alike), in some exotic species being of 
extraordinary size and exceedingly odd form, asymmetrical, or 
even dimorphic in the same sex. They are used as weapons both 
of defense and offense;- in pairing; and in some cases, at least, as 
an aid in folding and unfolding the wings. They are characteris- 
tically developed even in the wingless species.^ 
* In the young of Diplatys, from India, the cerci are very Icmg and many 
jointed, resembling antennae. At the last nymph stage they are abruptly 
reduced to a single segment. 
2 From personal experience I know that the Maritime Earwig can draw blood 
with them from human fingers. 
' This is to be expected; the wings are used only for flight, are more suscep- 
tible to environmental influences, and degenerate when not used; while the 
forceps, employed for several purposes, remain functional. 
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