Earwig (Forficula auricularia) artwork. Earwigs are predatory nocturnal insects that generally hide under stones and in crevices during the day. The s

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Earwig (Forficula auricularia) artwork. Earwigs are predatory nocturnal insects that generally hide under stones and in crevices during the day. The superstition that earwigs seek out human ears and bite through the eardrum has no basis in fact. The earwig's head, with its long antennae, is at upper centre. Its pair of short wings (centre) are folded down, as it very rarely fly. It is an omnivore, but will eat flowers as well as other insects and carrion. The pincers (lower centre) are used for defence purposes, and are raised over the head when attacked.

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Size: 2904px × 4868px
Photo credit: © LIZZIE HARPER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: animal, artwork, auricularia, earwig, forficula, illustration, insect, insecta, invertebrate, invertebrates, nature, pincers, watercolour, wildlife, zoology