Earwig, a long, narrow insect resembling the beetle in some respects. The mouth is formed for biting. The wing covers are short; the hind wings are very peculiar. The base of the wing is furnished with ribs like those of a Japanese fan. These are folded together fan fashion. The broad end of the wing is then folded twice crosswise, so as to shorten or crinkle it up. The tail end of the body has a pair of appendages resembling forceps. Earwigs are found on the Pacific coast and in the Gulf States, but are rare in the northeastern part of the United States. In Europe they are very troublesome in the flower and the vegetable garden. They eat the corollas of flowers and devour the tender parts of vegetation generally. There are specimens of 200 different species in the collection of the British Museum. The common name is derived from a popular belief that this insect is prone to crawl into the ear of a sleeping person.