DERMATOPTERA. I39 



Oedee II. — DERMATOPTERA. 



This order comprises the earwigs, as they are called in Europe, and is a small group, 

 usually placed among the Orthoptera. There are, however, certain characters which 

 forbid our placing it with that order. The fore wings are small, short, like the 

 elytra of certain beetles, notably the rove beetles (Staphylinidse) ; while the large 

 broad hind wings are very peculiar, and quite unlike those of the Orthoptera; 

 they are folded under the fore wings, or elytra,- much in the manner of beetles, and 

 the process of folding the wings is aided by the singular forceps at the end of the 

 body, which is also another peculiarity of these insects. The body is usually long, 

 narrow, and much flattened. It will thus be seen that these insects are composite 

 forms, and anticipate in a degree the beetles. On the other hand the larva resembles 

 lapyx, with its anal forceps, and upon the whole the Dermatoptera stand below the 

 Orthoptera, and indeed all the other winged insects. 



But a single family (Foeficulaeidje) represents this order, and there are two 

 principal genera, Forficida, and a short-bodied genus called Lahia. In Forficula the 

 antennae are compound, of fifteen joints, while those of Labia have less than twelve. 



The earwigs are nocturnal in their habits, hiding in the daytime among leaves and 

 in flowers, and flying about at dusk. In Europe, where they are common and annoying 

 garden pests, they feed on the corollas of flowers and on fruit, and will eat bread and 

 meat. "With us the earwigs are among the rarest of insects, but are more common in 

 the Gulf States than northward. 



A. S. Packard, Je. 



Fig. 'iSA. — Ftyrf.cnla crooeipennis. 



