These are European Earwigs, Forficula auricularia. I could get to even like them if they weren't so destructive to our flowers - earwigs have actually killed (eaten) a complete clematis plant.
Life History is fascinating.
They form pair-bonds in late Summer, smaller male on left, and the female lays a batch of eggs in the Fall or early Winter. The female then dumps the male and protects the eggs throughout the Winter. In Spring when the eggs hatch the female cares for the nymphs and feeds them until they are capable of feeding themselves (on your garden plants).
Last edited by NikonUser on Wed Sep 23, 2009 9:28 am, edited 1 time in total.
NU.
student of entomology
Quote – Holmes on ‘Entomology’
” I suppose you are an entomologist ? “
” Not quite so ambitious as that, sir. I should like to put my eyes on the individual entitled to that name.
No man can be truly called an entomologist,
sir; the subject is too vast for any single human intelligence to grasp.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr
The Poet at the Breakfast Table.
Nikon camera, lenses and objectives
Olympus microscope and objectives
Thanks.
Lighting setup almost identical, only difference was that the styrofoam cup diffuser was 2x the height of the one shown in the other image. This was possible because the WD for the 105mm lens at this mag. was very large.
NU.
student of entomology
Quote – Holmes on ‘Entomology’
” I suppose you are an entomologist ? “
” Not quite so ambitious as that, sir. I should like to put my eyes on the individual entitled to that name.
No man can be truly called an entomologist,
sir; the subject is too vast for any single human intelligence to grasp.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr
The Poet at the Breakfast Table.
Nikon camera, lenses and objectives
Olympus microscope and objectives
