Common European earwig  (Forficula auricularia)

Species information

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Glossary

  • Abdomen: in arthropods (crustaceans, insects and arachnids) the abdomen is the hind region of the body, which is usually segmented to a degree. In crustacea (e.g. crabs) the limbs attach to the abdomen; in insects the limbs are attached to the thorax (the part of the body nearest to the head) and not the abdomen. In vertebrates the abdomen is the part of the body that contains the internal organs (except the heart and lungs).
  • Antennae: pair of sensory structures on the head of invertebrates.
  • Incomplete metamorphosis: type of insect development (also known as hemimetabolous development) in which the adult form is reached via a series of moults. The larva (nymph) resembles a miniature wingless adult; the wings develop externally as the nymph grows.
  • Larvae: stage in an animal's lifecycle after it hatches from the egg. Larvae are typically very different in appearance to adults; they are able to feed and move around but usually are unable to reproduce.

References

  1. National Biodiversity Network Species Dictionary (Jan 2003): http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nbn/
  2. Sterry, P. (1997) Complete British Wildlife photo guide. Harper Collins Publishers, London.
  3. O'Toole, C. (2002) The new encyclopedia of insects and their allies. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
  4. Buczacki, S. (2002) Fauna Britannica. Hamlyn, London.
  5. University of Florida, Department of Entomology and Nematology: European earwig (March 2003): http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/veg/european_earwig.htm
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