Understanding Earwigs: The Misunderstood Insect

Many people find earwigs unsettling due to their menacing pincers, whether they’re scuttling across your living room floor or lurking in your camping gear. Despite the general aversion they inspire, earwigs haven’t captured the attention of researchers to the same extent as more popular social insects like ants and bees.

Nevertheless, a handful of scientists have ventured into the intriguing realm of earwigs. Their investigations reveal that these creatures, often overlooked, are not only intriguing but also exhibit surprisingly social behaviors, even if they aren’t universally regarded as cute.

Romantic Rituals of Earwigs

During the 1990s and early 2000s, researchers delved into the courtship behaviors of earwigs. These intricate displays of attraction and rejection can be quite the spectacle, lasting for hours and involving their pincers and antennae. For certain species, like the Papua New Guinea earwig Tagalina papua, the act of mating itself can extend to an astonishing 20 hours. Typically, it’s the females that decide when mating concludes, though in some instances, males may assert control using their pincers.

The Dominance of Male Bone-House Earwigs

Male bone-house earwigs, such as Marava arachidis, which are often found near bone meal facilities and slaughterhouses, display particularly assertive mating behaviors. They can bite the female’s antennae and utilize a specialized hook on their genitalia to anchor themselves within her reproductive tract.

Female Earwigs and Their Sperm Storage

One fascinating aspect of female earwigs is their ability to store sperm in internal pouches, allowing them to fertilize multiple broods without needing to mate repeatedly. Interestingly, males of the pale-legged earwig Euborellia pallipes have been documented removing the sperm of rival males using a unique feature of their genitalia.

Maternal Care in Earwigs

The captivating behaviors of earwigs extend well beyond mating. Female earwigs, as noted by entomologist Yoshitaka Kamimura, exhibit remarkable dedication to their young. Their nurturing behaviors toward eggs have intrigued researchers, particularly in Europe, where studies have focused on the biology and social interactions of European earwigs like Forficula auricularia.

The Protective Nature of Female Earwigs

The attentive care provided by female earwigs serves multiple critical functions. They actively remove harmful fungal spores from their eggs and apply protective, water-repellent substances to prevent desiccation. Moreover, any males that dare to approach the nest are met with fierce resistance from the females, who view them as potential threats to the eggs.

Social Behavior Among Adult Earwigs

Despite their fierce demeanor and occasional cannibalistic behaviors, adult earwigs are known to form groups, sometimes including individuals from different species. Studies indicate that earwigs raised in social settings are more inclined to seek companionship in adulthood, showcasing a surprising preference for social interaction.

In conclusion, while earwigs may not be the most beloved of insects, their intricate behaviors and social structures offer a wealth of information for researchers. From their complex courtship practices to the devoted care they provide to their offspring, earwigs continue to fascinate scientists exploring the hidden dimensions of their world.