An earwig with wings refers to a specific type of insect that is closely related to the common earwig. Earwigs are so named because of their distinctive pincers at the rear of their abdomen that resemble human ears. Most earwigs do not have wings, or have reduced wings that do not allow them to fly. However, there are some rare species of earwigs that do possess fully functional wings as adults and are capable of flight. These winged earwigs belong to the family Forficulidae and genera such as Anechura, Chelidura, and Apterygida.
Page Contents
What are earwigs?
Earwigs are insects that belong to the order Dermaptera, which contains about 2,000 species globally. They are characterized by their forceps-like cerci at the rear of their abdomen, which gives them their common name – earwig. The cerci resemble pinchers or forceps and are used by the insect for defense, social interaction, and capturing prey.
Most earwigs have bodies that are flattened dorsoventrally and are 1-25 mm long. They are oval-shaped with an identifiable head, thorax, and abdomen. The majority of earwig species are nocturnal and hide during the day in small crevices or burrows. They are omnivorous scavengers that feed on decaying plant and animal matter. Some species are predatory while others are parasitic.
Common physical features
In addition to the distinctive cerci, earwigs share some other common physical features:
- Elongated, flattened bodies
- Distinct head, thorax, and abdomen
- Antennae with 10-12 segments
- Chewing mouthparts
- Leathery forewings (tegmina) that cover the membranous hind wings
- Legs adapted for running with 5-segmented tarsi
The cerci at the rear are curved and resemble pinchers, tongs, or forceps. They are used by males to capture prey and defend territories. Females use them to protect eggs and young nymphs.
Life cycle and metamorphosis
Most earwigs undergo an incomplete or simple metamorphosis with three life stages:
- Egg – Females lay batches of small, elongated eggs in protected places. The eggs are pale yellow and oval.
- Nymph – Nymphs hatch from eggs and resemble small, wingless adults. They molt and grow through 4-6 instars before reaching adulthood.
- Adult – Adult earwigs have fully developed wings (if present). Females have a straight cerci while males have curved cerci.
The length of the life cycle depends on species and environment but may range from a few months to a year in warmer climates. In cooler regions, earwigs may overwinter as nymphs.
Winged vs wingless earwigs
Most earwig species do not have wings as adults or have vestigial, non-functional wings. However, some species do possess fully functional wings that allow them to fly. These include:
- Doru spp. – found mainly in warm regions like Africa, southern Asia, Australia
- Anisolabis spp. – distributed in temperate regions worldwide
- Euborellia spp. – found in Americas and Caribbean islands
- Anechura spp. – distributed in Central and South America
- Chelidura spp. – found in Africa and southern Europe
- Apterygida spp. – distributed in Australia
In winged earwigs, both the forewings and hindwings are fully developed. The forewings are leathery while the hindwings are membranous. At rest, the hindwings are folded neatly underneath the short forewings. Some key differences between winged and wingless earwigs are outlined below:
| Winged Earwigs | Wingless Earwigs |
|---|---|
| Capable of flight | Incapable of flight |
| Two pairs of fully functional wings | Vestigial or absent wings |
| Wings allow dispersal and migration | Restricted mobility without wings |
| Found in warmer climates | Found in cooler climates |
Examples of winged earwig species
Some examples of earwig species with fully developed wings include:
Common winged earwig (Doru aculeatum)
- Found in Africa, southern Asia, Australia
- Brownish-black coloration
- Males 18-20 mm long, females 12-15 mm
- Feed on dead insects and plants
- Capable fliers and highly mobile
- Often attracted to lights at night
Striped earwig (Anisolabis maritima)
- Found along coastal regions worldwide
- Distinctive yellowish stripes on abdomen
- Males 13-18 mm long
- Scavengers that feed on dead marine animals
- Use wings to migrate between coastal habitats
Cryptic earwig (Euborellia annulipes)
- Found in North, Central, and South America
- Cryptic coloration that camouflages on trees
- Males 12-18 mm long
- Hide in tree cavities during day
- Capable gliders and flyers
- Omnivorous diet
Behaviors and habits of winged earwigs
Winged earwigs exhibit some unique behaviors and habits facilitated by their ability to fly:
- Strong aerial dispersal abilities allow them to explore new habitats
- Capable of migrating long distances seasonally
- Nocturnal habits – often attracted to lights at night when flying
- Use flight to evade predators and escape threats
- Aerial dispersal helps locate ephemeral food sources like flowers and fruits
- Males fly to find mates in scattered populations
Their ability to fly allows winged earwigs to track down patchy food sources, escape unfavorable conditions, and colonize new areas more readily than flightless species. It facilitates mating and long distance migration that is not possible for non-winged earwigs.
Reproduction and life history
Reproduction and life history in winged earwigs is similar to non-winged species but with some key distinctions:
- Males fly at night to locate receptive females using pheromone cues
- After mating, female lays 20-80 eggs in burrows, under bark, in the soil
- Female guards eggs and cares for nymphs after hatching
- Nymphs resemble small wingless adults (incomplete metamorphosis)
- Nymphs go through 4-6 molts over 2-3 months before maturing into adults
- Wings develop externally during last nymphal instar
- Adults can migrate long distances or disperse by flight
- Life cycle ranges from 3-12 months depending on species and climate
The wings play an important role in mating strategies for winged earwigs. By flying at night, males can find females over a much wider area compared to flightless species. The wings also allow adults to colonize new areas more readily through flight dispersion.
Are winged earwigs rare?
Among the approximately 2,000 earwig species worldwide, only around 20% have functional wings as adults. Thus, winged earwig species are relatively uncommon compared to the predominance of wingless species. Some reasons why earwigs with wings are considered rare:
- Majority of earwig species have vestigial wings or no wings
- Winged species comprise minority of genera (~10 out of 233 genera)
- Found in geographically limited ranges (Central America, Africa, etc)
- Small number of species in winged genera (often <10 species)
- Require specific warm climates to utilize wings
- Cryptic nocturnal behavior makes them hard to find
- Low populations even in suitable habitats
While rare globally, winged earwigs can locally be common in tropical and subtropical regions where conditions allow them to thrive and fly. But they represent a small fraction of total earwig diversity. Their unique morphology and habits make them intriguing insects to entomologists. More research is still needed to better understand the biology of rare winged earwig species.
Threats and conservation
The unusual nature and rarity of winged earwigs also presents some conservation challenges:
- Climate change may alter suitable habitat as species are limited to warm regions
- Urbanization and agriculture can destroy nesting sites and food sources
- Pesticide use may be impacting some populations
- Light pollution affects nocturnal behaviors
- Predation and competition from non-native species
- Small geographic ranges and endemic populations make them more vulnerable
Protecting existing habitats and parks/reserves in tropical areas is important for conserving these rare insects. Some suggestions for conservation include:
- Reducing pesticide usage near protected reserves
- Limiting light pollution by using directional lighting
- Monitoring populations long-term to detect declines
- Preventing introduction of non-native competitors
- Educating public about importance of biodiversity
- Studying responses to climate change to predict future habitat shifts
More research and focus on winged earwig species may be needed to properly inform conservation actions and ensure the survival of these unique insects into the future. Their rarity makes them a priority for protection efforts.
Conclusion
Earwigs with wings represent an obscure but important branch of earwig diversity found predominantly in warm regions worldwide. These rare insects have fully developed wings as adults that allow them to fly, migrate, and disperse more readily than their more common wingless relatives. Winged earwig species exhibit interesting behaviors facilitated by flight such as aerial mating strategies, nocturnal activity, and ephemeral food source tracking. While limited geographically, winged earwigs play an important ecological role in their native habitats. However, rarity makes them vulnerable and proper conservation measures are needed to ensure their protection in the face of growing threats. More research and awareness can help preserve these unique insects for future generations.
