Earwig Facts for Kids
Earwigs are flat, slender insects known for the pincer-like forceps at the end of the body. Despite old stories about ears, earwigs do not crawl into ears on purpose. Most hide in dark damp places and come out at night.
Quick Earwig Facts
- Animal Type: Insect
- Group: Earwig order Dermaptera
- Known For: Pincer-like forceps, hidden hindwings, short leathery forewings, night activity, damp hiding places, and egg care
- Habitat: Leaf litter, soil, logs, bark, gardens, compost, rocks, cracks, damp places, homes, farms, and plant-covered areas depending on species
- Diet: Dead plant matter, decaying material, fungi, small insects, aphids, mites, flowers, fruit, seedlings, and other foods depending on species
What You’ll Learn
Learn 10 fun earwig facts for kids with simple explanations, kid facts, quiz, glossary, and an earwig activity.
These earwig facts for kids are written in a simple way for kids, parents, teachers, and curious little fact-hunters.
10 Fun Earwig Facts for Kids
1. Earwigs Are Insects
Earwigs are insects with six legs, three body parts, antennae, and wings in many adults.
Kid Decode: An earwig is a tiny night crawler with pincers at the back.
2. Earwigs Have Forceps
Earwigs have pincer-like forceps at the end of the abdomen.
Kid Decode: Those pincers look dramatic, like tiny garden tongs.
3. Earwig Babies Are Nymphs
Young earwigs are called nymphs and look like smaller versions of adults.
Kid Decode: An earwig nymph is a little pincer trainee.
4. Earwigs Have Hidden Wings
Many earwigs have large folded hindwings hidden under short leathery forewings.
Kid Decode: Their wings are folded away like secret insect origami.
5. Earwigs Are Mostly Nocturnal
Many earwigs hide during the day and come out at night.
Kid Decode: The garden after dark is their tiny walking route.
6. Earwigs Like Damp Hiding Places
Earwigs often shelter under logs, rocks, leaves, bark, mulch, or damp cracks.
Kid Decode: They are fans of cozy shadow corners.
7. Earwigs Eat Many Foods
Earwigs may eat decaying plants, fungi, small insects, aphids, fruit, or flowers depending on the species and situation.
Kid Decode: Their menu is part cleanup crew, part garden nibbler.
8. Earwig Mothers Care for Eggs
Female earwigs often guard and clean their eggs, which is unusual care for many insects.
Kid Decode: The mother earwig is a tiny egg babysitter with pincers.
9. Earwigs Do Not Want Human Ears
The name comes from an old superstition, but earwigs are not trying to live in people’s ears.
Kid Decode: The scary name is much bigger than the insect’s actual plan.
10. Earwigs Are Part of Food Webs
Birds, frogs, spiders, lizards, centipedes, and other animals may eat earwigs.
Kid Decode: Even the pincer bug has plenty of predators.
The Weirdest Earwig Fact
Earwigs can hide large folded wings under short leathery forewings, even though many people rarely see them fly.
Try This Earwig Activity
Earwig Drawing Activity
Draw an earwig under a damp log at night. Add pincer-like forceps, antennae, short leathery forewings, hidden wing fold marks, nymphs, eggs guarded by a mother, leaf litter, fungi, aphids, and a moonlit garden.
Quick Earwig Quiz
- What animal group are earwigs in? Answer: Insects.
- What are baby earwigs called? Answer: Nymphs.
- What are the pincer-like parts on an earwig called? Answer: Forceps.
- When are many earwigs active? Answer: At night.
- Do earwigs try to live in people’s ears? Answer: No.
Mini Glossary
- Insect: An animal with six legs, three body parts, and antennae.
- Nymph: A young insect stage that looks partly like the adult but has no full wings yet.
- Forceps: Pincer-like body parts at the end of an earwig.
- Nocturnal: Active mostly at night.
- Dermaptera: The insect order that includes earwigs.
Turn Earwig Facts Into a Story
Turn these earwig facts into a fun animal story with our free Animal Story Generator.
Try It FreeFact check note: Fact checked with Britannica earwig resources, earwig parental care research, and trusted insect education references.