Forficula auricularia (European earwig).

Abstract

Abstract The European earwig, Forficula auricularia, is a polyphagous insect that is native to large parts of Europe and western Asia as far east as western Siberia. In the early twentieth century it was accidentally introduced into North America where it became widespread in a number of states/provinces of both the USA and Canada. It has also invaded Australia and New Zealand, and more recently Mexico, Chile and the Falkland Islands. Although economic damage to vegetable and flower gardens is generally minor, when high population densities occur it is a major pest in gardens and greenhouses, and a significant nuisance in households. Within and sometimes also outside its native range it is also regarded as a beneficial organism used or encouraged as a biological control agent to control other insect pests in orchards and gardens.