Lesser Earwig

Appearance

''Labia minor'' is about half the size of ''Forficula auricularia'', at 4–7 millimetres long. It is chocolate brown, and less shiny than the chestnut brown ''F. auricularia''. The whole body is covered with fine yellow setae, and the antennae are a paler color. The ''forceps'' at the animal's tail are used to help unfurl the wings, in preparation for flight. Unlike ''F. auricularia'', ''Labia minor'' flies frequently.

Distribution

''Labia minor'' is widespread in temperate zones around the world. It is unclear whether it is a native species in North America, or an early adventive species. The first record from the United States dates from 1838, but the species may have been present for a long time before that. It ranges further north, into British Columbia and Quebec than any other earwig species, and is the only earwig in Quebec. It has also been introduced to Australia, Madeira, the Galápagos Islands and the Philippines. The species is probably often overlooked, however, due to its small size, and may be more widespread than is currently known.

Habitat

''Labia minor'' feeds on decaying plant material and other detritus. In cooler climates, it is only found in warm places, such as actively decaying compost heaps, and are most often encountered when turning the compost. Unusually for an insect, there is extensive maternal care of the eggs and offspring, with the mother feeding them for a week or two after they hatch.

Evolution

''Labia minor'' was originally named by Carl Linnaeus in the 10th edition of his work ''Systema Naturae'' in 1758, under the name ''Forficula minor''. When William Elford Leach established the genus ''Labia'' in 1815, Linnaeus' ''Forficula minor'' was made the type species of that new genus, and renamed ''Labia minor''.