Earwigs are common insects found in gardens and sometimes homes, recognized by the distinctive pincer-like appendages at their rear. Understanding what baby earwigs, known as nymphs, look like and how they develop can help in identifying them. This article provides a clear description of earwig nymphs, detailing their appearance, developmental changes, and typical habitats.
Describing Baby Earwigs
Earwig nymphs are miniature versions of their adult counterparts, but with key differences in appearance. Immediately after hatching, they are tiny, often only a few millimeters long. Their color is typically much lighter than adults, appearing translucent, pale white, or yellowish. As they grow, their color gradually darkens to shades of grey or light brown with subsequent molts.
The body shape of a nymph is elongated and flattened, similar to an adult earwig. Their cerci, the pincer-like appendages at the end of their abdomen, are present but are softer, straighter, and less developed or curved compared to the hardened, more prominent pincers of mature adults. Nymphs possess six legs and antennae, proportionate to their smaller size. A key distinction from most adult earwigs is the absence of wings in the nymphal stage.
From Nymph to Adult
Baby earwigs undergo incomplete metamorphosis to reach adulthood. This process involves a series of molts, typically four to six, where the nymph sheds its outer exoskeleton to grow. Each stage between molts is called an instar.
With each molt, nymphs gradually increase in size and their coloration deepens. The cerci also change, becoming more prominent and hardened. In later nymphal stages, small wing pads or buds may become visible, which will eventually develop into full wings in winged adult species.
Where Baby Earwigs Live
Earwig nymphs, much like adults, prefer dark, damp, and cool environments. They are commonly found in places such as under rocks, logs, leaf litter, and mulch. Cracks in foundations, damp basements, and other moist crevices also serve as suitable habitats.
A notable aspect of earwig biology is the maternal care provided by female earwigs. Mothers often guard their eggs and young nymphs, sometimes even providing food to their offspring in the early stages. Earwigs are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night, seeking food and moisture. Their diet is omnivorous, consisting of decaying organic matter, fungi, and small insects.