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FAQ #39214

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Are the pinchers on earwigs functional or just "for show?"

Related resource areas: Gardens, Lawns & Landscapes, Pest Management In and Around Structures


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Earwig pinchers are actually quite functional and useful to the earwig. Even though they usually are not powerful enough to hurt human beings when pinched, they serve as a useful tool in the capture of prey items, and defense of the earwig against other creatures of similar size.

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