Page 161 - Florida Pest Control Examinations

EARWIG-GROWTH

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
1.Antenna- slender & threadlike 6.Thorax EARWIG
2 . E y e s 7 . P e t i o l e - n o n e
3.Head 8.Abdomen- long and flattened 1
4.Legs- 6 9.Color- reddish to brown 8
5.Wings- can fly 10.Other- forceps on rear “cerci”
Life Cycle
Earwigs lay dozens of eggs in clusters in the ground, which hatch in 8-10 days.
The nymphs go through several instars over the next 20-80 days before be-
coming adults. The female tends to her young until they are strong enough to 4 10
fend for themselves. There are 1-2 generations throughout the year, developing
more rapidly during the spring and summer.
Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

EARWIG
Actual size 5/8”
The Earwig is about ½ to ¾ inch long, and is a quite common nocturnal pest. Usually they are
vegetarians, eating plants, but they may even eat other bugs at times--dead or alive. Home-
owners usually see the damage they cause to plants. They eat round and jagged holes in the
leaves of plants, and damage the flowers and seeds. Although it is rarely seen, earwigs can
actually fly.

If a problem with these pests exists they can usually be found under door mats, beneath the
bark of trees, in and around the garden hose, under almost everything in the yard and, of
course, in the wheels and tracks of your sliding glass doors.

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