Common European Earwig

The common European earwig is a small insect with a misleading name—its delicate, ear-shaped hindwings don't actually crawl into human ears. These adaptable omnivores thrive everywhere from gardens to city apartments, sometimes raiding pantries but also helping control plant pests. Their pincer-like tail gives them a fierce look, though they're harmless to people.

• Unfolds wing membranes that resemble tiny human ears when flying
• Squeezes into narrow cracks in houses while searching for food
• Eats both plant matter and small insects depending on availability