HABITS OF THE EAEWIG. 



479 



creature with wonderful precision, and used as deftly as as if they were fingers and 

 directed by eyes. The Earwigs seldom fly except by night, and it is not very easy to see 

 them pack up their wings. Some of the smaller species, however, are day-fliers, and in 

 spite of their tiny dimensions, may be watched without much difficulty. 



Earwigs feed on vegetable matter, especially preferring the corollas of flowers. Pinks, 

 carnations, and dahlias are often damaged greatly by these insects, which sometimes occur 

 in vast quantities, and ruin the appearance of a well-tended flower-bed. Fortunately for the 

 florist, the habits of these insects are constant, and they can be destroyed in great numbers 

 by those who desire to kill them. Being intolerant of light, they avoid the sunshine by 

 every means in their power, and creep into every crevice that may hide them from the 

 unwelcome light. 



In consequence they are fond of crawling among the thick and shadowy petals of the 

 dahlia, and are frequently found in the slender spur of the nasturtium, so that any one 



FIELD CRICKET. Gryllus campestris. 

 MOLE CRICKET. Gryllotalpa vulgdris. GIANT EARWIG. For/icula (or Labidiwa) gigantea. 



who is about to eat one of these flowers will do well to examine the spur before he makes 

 the attempt. Knowing these habits, horticulturists catch them by hundreds by the simple 

 plan of placing lobsters' claws, bits of hollow reed, and similar objects, on the tops of 

 sticks, knowing that the Earwigs will crawl into them at the dawn of day, and may be 

 shaken out and killed when the gardener goes his rounds. 



The Earwig is remarkable for a parental affection quite exceptional in the insect race, 

 the mother watching over her eggs until they are hatched, and after the young have 

 entered the world, taking as much care of them as a hen takes of her chicken. 



There are about seven or eight British species, some of them being of very small size. 

 I have often seen them flying about at midday, when they might easily be mistaken for 

 beetles. They have several times alighted on the sleeve of my coat, and afforded good 

 opportunities of watching the curious manner in which the wings are tucked under their 

 cases. The largest British species is that which is given in the illustration. It is of very 



