Common Earwig

The European, or common, earwig (Forficula auricularia) was introduced to North America in 1907 and has since spread throughout the continent. It inhabits leaf litter and is generally nocturnal. Their common name comes from the Old English Δ“are wicga for "ear insect." It is generally thought that the name refers to the ear shape of their unfolded wings, but folklore also refers to the belief that they would crawl into people's ears as they slept.

Courtesy of Creative Commons; photo by Ryan Hodnett