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| And the light shines through. |
Later, she was checking out my screen. I recognized her again by the broken antenna.
Earwig females have smooth, slightly curved forceps (those pincers at the rear); males' forceps are wider at the base, with a tooth just before the strong curve. (See BugGuide photo.)
The name earwig, which literally means “ear creature,” originated from the widespread superstition that these insects crawl into the ears of sleeping people. Moreover, many individuals believed that once the earwig gained access into the human ear, it could bore into the brain. Actually these insects do not crawl into the human ear. (Penn State, Dept. of Entomology)
I heard that when I was a kid. I didn't quite believe it, which saved me a bit of worry; we had earwigs everywhere.
I'm intrigued by insects. Many are very beautiful. But I can't manage earwigs. I really don't like them. Even this one, when it's safely on screen instead of in my house or garden, and when light is shining through it so beautifully . . . I can't bring myself not to be repelled.
ReplyDeleteI'm that way with cockroaches. Anything else, I can usually come to terms with.
ReplyDeleteThe superstition reminds me of an old Twilight Zone (or similar program) episode. - Margy
ReplyDelete