Earwigs are common insects frequently encountered in gardens and homes, recognized by their distinctive pincer-like appendages at their rear. Many people wonder if these creatures are capable of flight. The question of whether all earwigs possess wings, or can even fly, is more complex than it first appears.
The Diversity of Earwig Wings
Not all earwig species possess wings, despite common perception. Earwigs belong to the insect order Dermaptera, a diverse group encompassing over 2,000 species globally. Within this order, wing presence varies significantly: some species are fully winged, some have reduced, non-functional wings, and others are entirely wingless.
Earwigs with wings typically feature two distinct pairs. The forewings, known as tegmina, are short, hardened, and leathery plates that primarily serve as protective covers for the more delicate flight wings beneath them. Hidden and intricately folded beneath the tegmina are the larger, membranous hindwings. These hindwings are semicircular and fan-like, characterized by a complex pattern of radiating veins that enable their remarkable folding. Wing development occurs as earwig nymphs mature through several molts into their adult form; nymphs themselves are always wingless.
The Mechanics of Earwig Flight
For earwigs with functional wings, their flight mechanism is remarkably intricate, yet their flight is rarely observed. Their large, fan-like hindwings are folded up to 40 times into a compact, origami-like structure, tucking neatly under the small, protective forewings. This unique folding allows the wings to expand to more than ten times their folded size when deployed for flight, representing one of the highest folding ratios in the animal kingdom. The wings lock into place when open, providing stability without continuous muscle power, due to the elastic properties of a protein called resilin found in their specialized wing joints.
Earwigs are not strong or agile fliers; their flight is often described as clumsy and short-lived. Their flight muscles are underdeveloped compared to those of more active flying insects, which contributes to their limited flight ability. When they do take flight, it is typically in brief bursts, often as a means of escape when disturbed, or to find new resources like food, mates, or shelter. Their predominantly nocturnal habits and preference for crawling through narrow, moist spaces also contribute to why their flight is so seldom witnessed.
Wingless Earwig Adaptations
While many earwig species possess wings and the capacity for flight, a notable number are entirely wingless. These species thrive through various behavioral and physical adaptations, relying on alternative modes of movement and specialized lifestyles to navigate their environments and locate essential resources. Instead of flight, crawling is their primary means of locomotion, facilitated by their thin, running-adapted legs and elongated, flattened bodies, which allow them to move quickly across surfaces and into tight spaces.
Wingless earwigs often exhibit strong burrowing habits, enabling them to seek refuge underground or within tight crevices. They prefer moist, dark habitats such as under rocks, logs, leaf litter, or in the upper layers of soil, which provide both shelter and consistent access to their diverse food sources. This ground-dwelling existence allows them to feed on decaying organic matter, fungi, and other small insects. Their ability to burrow deep, sometimes up to six feet, also serves as a defense mechanism against predators and extreme temperatures, particularly during winter hibernation.