About Chelisoches morio (Fabricius, 1775)
Chelisoches morio, commonly known as the black earwig, is a species of insect belonging to the family Chelisochidae. It is an omnivorous species with a worldwide distribution, and it is most abundant in tropical regions, Pacific islands, the Pacific Northwest, and damp habitats. Adult black earwigs are solid jet black in color, and their body length typically ranges from 18 to 25 millimeters, though some individuals can reach up to 36 millimeters. Compared to females, male black earwigs have widely separated, serrated cerci. The forceps-like cerci are used for multiple behaviors: capturing prey, defending against threats, fighting other earwigs, and courting mates. Black earwigs are most active during the night, but they also carry out normal activity during the day. In addition to hunting animal prey including aphids, leaf beetles, hoppers, mites, mealybugs, and termites, C. morio also feeds on fruits such as bananas and dragon fruits.
