Is It a Earwig? How to Tell Earwigs From Look-Alikes
Earwigs: 5 marks to check, what they are often confused with, whether they bite or sting, and where they turn up, quoted from university entomology and IPM sources.
At a glance
- Group: Order Dermaptera
- Body plan: Earwigs are brown-to-black, somewhat flattened insects with three pairs of well-developed legs; nymphal stages are wingless while some adults have hind wings folded under short forewings; the abdomen ends in claw-like forceps (cerci) that are straight-sided in most females and more pincer-like/curved in males.
- Size: Adult European earwigs (the most prevalent earwig pest species in Pennsylvania) are about 5/8 inch (16 mm) long.
- Bites or stings: Not covered by the sources we opened; handle unknown bugs with care.
- Where you find them: Earwigs can be found in large numbers under boards, in tree holes, under decaying bark, or wherever it is moist and dark; they are active at night and hide during the day in cracks and crevices, sometimes entering homes.
How to tell it is one of the earwigs
- The most distinguishing feature of earwigs is the claw-like forceps (cerci) at the tip of the abdomen — a structure not part of cockroach or beetle body descriptions in the sources checked.
- The forceps/cerci are straight-sided on most females but more pincer-like (curved) on males — a sex-based identification detail.
- Both adults and nymphs show the characteristic pincher/forceps structures on their flattened, brown-to-black bodies.
- Earwig nymphs are wingless; some adults have hind wings neatly folded under short, cover-like forewings.
- European earwig males show two forceps-size forms (about 3/16 inch or 3/8 inch), a species-specific identification detail.
Often confused with
People most often mix earwigs up with:
Open the other page and compare its list against the marks above; the differences are usually in the antennae, wings or the way the body is divided.
Pest or beneficial?
Earwigs are mainly scavengers that occasionally feed on plants; the European earwig is considered a notorious household nuisance pest when large numbers seek shelter indoors.
Where they turn up
Earwigs can be found in large numbers under boards, in tree holes, under decaying bark, or wherever it is moist and dark; they are active at night and hide during the day in cracks and crevices, sometimes entering homes.
How to photograph it for identification
Get as close as your camera will focus, from directly above, in daylight or a bright lamp. Include the whole body with the legs and antennae in frame; a second shot from the side shows wings and body segments. Put a coin or ruler next to it for scale. For a bite or a bug found on skin or bedding, photograph the bug itself, not the mark. The app names the likely group; use the list above to confirm.
FAQ
Do earwigs bite or sting?
The sources we opened for this group do not describe bites or stings. Treat any bug you cannot identify with care and avoid handling it bare-handed.
What is the quickest way to recognize earwigs?
The most distinguishing feature of earwigs is the claw-like forceps (cerci) at the tip of the abdomen — a structure not part of cockroach or beetle body descriptions in the sources checked.
Are earwigs a pest?
Earwigs are mainly scavengers that occasionally feed on plants; the European earwig is considered a notorious household nuisance pest when large numbers seek shelter indoors.
How do I tell earwigs from cockroaches?
The most distinguishing feature of earwigs is the claw-like forceps (cerci) at the tip of the abdomen — a structure not part of cockroach or beetle body descriptions in the sources checked. The forceps/cerci are straight-sided on most females but more pincer-like (curved) on males — a sex-based identification detail. The Cockroaches page lists its own marks.
Related
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Sources
Updated 2026-09-11.