[paul.fr]

[Karen W.]

earwig or what we call a pincher bug

[dentstudent]

I believe its a dragonfly larva. I guess you found it in the water?

[paul.fr]

I believe its a dragonfly larva. I guess you found it in the water?

no, in my back yard. there is no immediate water, canals not too far away. i was thinking, like Karen, that it was a earwig.

[Karen W.]

It is a earwig



http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/bugreview/earwigs.html
Earwig

Earwigs are dark, reddish-brown insects which are easily identified by the pincer-like projections on the tip of the abdomen, called forceps. Both males and females have forceps. The most common species in Illinois, the European earwig, is 5/8 of an inch long.

Adult earwig
Habit

Earwigs prefer moist, dark areas. They are most active at night and seek shelter during day. They are commonly found in mulch, organic debris, cracks and crevices, under flower pots and boards. They frequently enter the house and are often found in the basement or crawlspace. Earwigs feed on living or dead plant material and some insects.
Damage

Generally, earwigs are not destructive. They are not poisonous and generally will not bite or sting humans. They may pinch the skin with their forceps. With large numbers, they may feed on tender plants and may damage lettuce, strawberries, dahlias, marigolds, zinnias and roses.
Control

Non chemical: If found indoors, remove by vacuuming. Discourage earwigs by eliminating their desired habitat. Remove leaf litter, stones, and mulches near foundations; keep shrubs trimmed, Discourage and reduce entry into buildings by caulking and repairing cracks and crevices and checking door thresholds, windows and screens for a tight fit.

Chemical: Contact your county Extension office for current pesticide controls.
Written by Susan M. Grupp, Horticulture Educator, University of Illinois Extension . Reviewed by Philip L. Nixon, Extension Entomologist, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Information summarized from Natural History Entomology fact sheet: NHE-142

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 By The way My picture here is a male earwig the pincher's are curved and pincher like Paul's is a female straighter pincher's and closer together less curve!

[dentstudent]

Sorry, I disagree. You can clearly see the wing casing on the back of the creature in Pauls photo

[dentstudent]

Paul, do you have any other descriptors - size for example?

[paul.fr]

Paul, do you have any other descriptors - size for example?

hold on, that was a whole mount. i will go and check my slides.....

[paul.fr]

widest body part=8mm
tip of tail to head 22mm

[dentstudent]

I've asked a coleopterist, but I'm afraid he doesn't know. However, it isn't a dragon fly larva (damn!) or an earwig (phew!). He does think that it could be an aquatic larva of some sort......

[paul.fr]

I've asked a coleopterist, but I'm afraid he doesn't know. However, it isn't a dragon fly larva (damn!) or an earwig (phew!). He does think that it could be an aquatic larva of some sort......

the beastie was alive and crawling when captured  []

[Karen W.]

I still say it is an ear wig they have 2 pair of wings,, forewings (tegninia) short and thickened hindwings membranes and fold fan like under-elytra..
size 10 to 25 MM

scroll down to page 10. second picture

Order Dermaptera (der-Map Ter-a)

http://basicentomology.ifas.ufl.edu/lab1.pdf



This one is wiki on the earwig..winged!!

    For the record label, see Earwig Music Company

Earwig is the common name given to the insect order Dermaptera characterized by membranous wings folded underneath short leathery forewings (hence the literal name of the order - "skin wings"). The abdomen extends well beyond the wings, and frequently, though not always, ends in a pair of forceps-like cerci. With about 1,800 recorded species in 10 families, the order is relatively small among Insecta. Earwigs are, however, quite common globally. There is no evidence that they transmit disease or otherwise harm humans or other animals, despite their nickname pincher bug.

Earwig may also be used as a verb to mean: "to fill the mind with prejudice by insinuations" or "to attempt to influence by persistent confidential argument or talk".[1]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermaptera

[Karen W.]

I agree with Stuart - you can see the wing cases so it's not an earwig.

Ear wigs have wings that fold under what you see as the wing cases! Please read the wiki or check out the other link.. I could not copy the picture but the sketch was great and confirms to me what it is.. I have seen earwigs my whole life me is a country girl and I am sure  that is an earwig!! Sorry boys.. LOL

[Karen W.]

This is the female pincher bug! Note the straighter pincher's closer together then the male, not near AS curved!!

[Karen W.]

Hi This is Stuarts picture. It is a good example of the way the wings fold under in a fan shape like the pincher bug of pauls!

Note the three ribs running vertical below head.. not long wings they are very short compared to rest of body none the less they are there like on a pincer bug! Here on Stuart's  3rd picture, shows the wings also, so they are
very similar in placement as to the ones on the pincher bug of paul's!

[paul.fr]

Fight, fight, fight

[Karen W.]

Fight, fight, fight

LOL LOL I know I am right do I have to catch the little buggers to show you their wings! LOL LOL HEE HEE HEE!

[kdlynn]

i think it's a turtle. lol. just kidding. i just wanted to argue too...

[dentstudent]

No you didn't!

[DoctorBeaver]

"Time's up"
"No it isn't"
"Yes it is. I'm not going to argue any more"
"But you're still arguing"
"No I'm not"