﻿GENERAL REMARKS ON EARWIGS. 



The Forficnlidae or Earwigs are as a group very easily dis- 

 tinguished from any other famihes of the Orthoptera, but much 

 ciiversity of opinion appears to exist as to their true afilinities. 

 Many authors still consider them a distinct order, Dermaptera 

 or Euplexoptera ; but the most general acceptation appears to 

 l-e that they are merely a somewhat aberrant family of the Or- 

 thoptera. Their distribution throughout the world is very gen- 

 eral, some species having a very wide range, owing no doubt to 

 tlieir secretive habits and facility of transportation. The warmer 

 regions of the globe appear to be much more productive of spe- 

 cies than the temperate zones. The total aumber of species re- 

 corded appears to be slightly over 500, these being included in 52 

 genera. Although practically omnivorous, the vegetarian habits 

 of some of the Forficulidae are well known, and owing to the 

 jj^'edilection of the common European species {Forficiila aiiricii- 

 I'jria) for the foliage of Dahlias and other favorite garden plants, 

 this insect is very unpopular with the careful horticulturist. 



Instances of damages to so important a crop as hops, are also 

 recorded, but such cases appear to be rare. Several observa- 

 tions on their insectivorous diet are also recorded, the forceps 

 licing used to hold the unfortunate victim, whilst it is devoured 

 at leisure. The economic value of F. auricula ria in destroying 

 the larvae and ])upae of the Tortricid moth, Cochylis amhigucUa 

 (so destructive to grape vines in Europe) has also been observed, 

 and also the destruction of other injurious insects. In New 

 South Wales and Queensland, a small earwig, Spongiphora sp. 

 ( ?') was observed in great numbers in the cane-fields, feeding up- 

 on leaf-hoppers and other insects, by Messrs. Perkins and Koe- 

 bcle. The maternal solicitude exhibited by the female for her 

 eggs and newly hatched young has been recorded by, numerous 

 olxservers. Much diversity of opinion has been expressed by 

 oliscrvers as to the use of the forceps ; they have been observed 

 \o aid in the folding and unfolding of the wings, and in the rais- 

 it\g of the tegmina preparatory to flight. From personal ob- 

 servation we know that they are important aids to feeding, de- 



