ORDER VI. DERMAPTERA. 



FORFICULID^. 



The ear-wig, Forficula (PI. IV., Fig. 52, p. 102) has 

 a long body with the thorax and abdomen broadly 

 connected. The upper pair of wings (Fig. 52, w') is 

 small and chitinous, somewhat resembling the wing- 

 covers of beetles ; hence the name Dermaptera, from 

 the Greek {Sipfxa, skin; -n-repov, wing). The lower 

 pair is large and rounded. The greater part of the 

 lower wing has radiating veins, and when not in use is 

 folded like a fan, the pivot being at the middle of 

 the front margin ; the wing also is folded twice cross- 

 wise, so that only a small portion (Fig. 52, w") 

 extends beyond the wing-covers. The name Forficula 

 alludes to the forcep-hke appendages (PI. IV., Figs. 

 52, 53) at the end of the abdomen which serve to 

 flirt open the closed wings, and that of ear-wig to the 

 belief formerly held that this insect was fond of creep- 

 ing into the ears of sleeping persons. According to 

 Kirby^ ear- wigs have sometimes entered the human 

 ear for concealment. Two or three species of Forficu- 

 lidae are found in New England, but these are of small 

 size. 



The larva (PI. IV., Fig. 53, Forficula auricularia) 

 has distinct thoracic rings, and though the wings have 

 not grown, the forceps are quite strong organs. 



1 Text-book of Entomology, p. 82. 



