The creature commonly known as the “pincher bug” is scientifically identified as the earwig, an insect belonging to the order Dermaptera. These omnivorous insects are found globally, inhabiting diverse environments on every continent except Antarctica. Their diet is broad, including both plant matter and other animals.
The Primary Role as Decomposers
The foundation of the earwig’s diet centers on scavenging, making it an active participant in natural decomposition cycles. Earwigs primarily consume dead or decaying organic matter, which contributes to recycling nutrients back into the soil. They are often found in dark, damp environments like under leaf litter, mulch, or within rotting wood, as these locations provide both shelter and moisture-rich food sources.
Their preferred fare includes decomposing plant material such as fallen leaves and decaying wood fragments. Earwigs also readily consume mold, fungi, and algae that thrive in humid conditions. By breaking down this debris, they perform a beneficial function, similar to earthworms, in maintaining soil health.
Moisture is a significant factor in their foraging behavior, as they seek out damp environments to both live and feed. This preference for humidity means they concentrate their feeding activity in areas often inaccessible to other insects. Earwigs are important “cleaners” within their ecosystems, consuming what many other organisms leave behind.
Predatory Feeding Habits
Beyond scavenging, the earwig is also an opportunistic predator. These insects actively hunt small, soft-bodied invertebrates, using their distinctive rear pincers for defense and to secure prey. Their nocturnal activity aligns with the habits of many garden pests, making them effective nighttime hunters.
Earwigs are known to prey on common garden nuisances such as aphids and mites, which are often found in dense colonies on plant foliage. They also consume insect eggs and small larvae, helping to control pest populations before they mature. This predatory behavior positions the earwig as a biological control agent in certain agricultural settings.
Specific items on their animal menu include the eggs of snails and slugs, which they locate in damp, sheltered spots. By consuming these developing pests, earwigs provide a measure of natural protection for plants.
Plant Matter and Household Foraging
Earwigs will feed on living vegetation, particularly when other food sources are scarce or during dry periods. They tend to target the most tender parts of plants, such as young seedlings, soft fruits, and the delicate petals of flowers. This feeding results in small, ragged holes in leaves and blossoms, which can be particularly noticeable on ornamental plants like marigolds and dahlias.
Specific garden crops are vulnerable, including soft fruits like strawberries and peaches, where earwigs may burrow in to access the pulp. They also consume corn silks, which can interfere with the crop’s pollination process. This consumption of live plant material is the primary reason earwigs are sometimes classified as pests.
When earwigs move indoors, they are usually seeking shelter and moisture, but their diet expands to include human-related materials. They are attracted to spilled foods like starches, oils, and crumbs, and they will also consume stored goods such as bread or flour. Although they do not typically breed indoors, their foraging for available organic matter, including dead insects, can make them an unwelcome house guest.