Male European Earwig
Adult males usually have more curved, separated forceps at the end of the abdomen.
- Size
- About 12–20 mm
- Appearance
- Brown body with strongly curved rear forceps
- Usually found
- Damp mulch, vegetation, foundations and basements
EARWIG IDENTIFICATION
Male and female European earwigs
Compare the common male and female forms of the European earwig using Ontario reference photographs.
WHY IDENTIFICATION MATTERS
Start with the pest, not the treatment.
The European earwig is the earwig most often found around Ontario homes and landscaping. Male and female forceps have different shapes, so they can appear to be different species.
COMMON ADULT FORMS
Compare the most relevant types
Each card uses an actual reference photograph of the pest or life stage named.
Female European Earwig
Adult females have straighter forceps that sit closer together, but otherwise resemble males.
- Size
- About 12–20 mm
- Appearance
- Brown body with straighter, closer rear forceps
- Usually found
- Damp protected material, gardens and lower levels
QUICK COMPARISON
How to tell them apart
| Type | Size | Appearance | Typical location | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male European Earwig | About 12–20 mm | Brown body with strongly curved rear forceps | Damp mulch, vegetation, foundations and basements | Most visible late spring through summer |
| Female European Earwig | About 12–20 mm | Brown body with straighter, closer rear forceps | Damp protected material, gardens and lower levels | Most visible late spring through summer |
COMMON EVIDENCE
Signs worth documenting
- Earwigs sheltering under damp objects
- Indoor activity after wet weather
- Concentrations near basement entries
- Activity in mulch against the foundation
- Plant feeding where outdoor numbers are high
IDENTIFICATION TIP
Get a safer, clearer answer
The rear forceps are distinctive. Earwigs do not crawl into people’s ears and are generally nuisance invaders indoors rather than structural pests.
Identify a Pest From a PhotoLOCAL PEST HELP
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