16 Insect Life : Its Why and Wherefore 
which the earwigs may run up into — 
an inverted flower pot with the hole in the 
bottom plugged by a stick which holds 
it in position, or by bamboo rods with 
slots cut for the insects to enter. The way 
in which the earwig accepts this alternative 
would rather suggest that the original idea 
in running up to the stem or spike of the 
flower thus damaged, was not for food 
purposes. Except for this damage among 
the flowers, which, as shown, can be easily 
prevented, surely of all insects ever looked 
upon, there are none more absolutely and 
perfectly harmless than the earwig. 
The food of the earwig is not easy to 
define. If we are to believe the evidence 
of many naturalists upon the subject it is 
very varied indeed. Most certainly 
vegetable matter forms a large item in their 
diet, and they are sometimes to be seen 
attacking fruit that has fallen from the 
trees. But as they are so frequently 
to be found congregated under the bark of 
trees there can be little doubt that they 
consume the larvae and pupae of small 
insects — in fact there is evidence which 
cannot be disputed that they are carnivorous 
