The Daily Insight

Connected.Informed.Engaged.

general

What Do Pincher Bugs Eat?

Writer Gabriel Cooper

Learn What Pincher Bugs Eat

Pincher bugs, commonly known as earwigs, are tiny insects that gather in groups. They are little winged insects with pinchers on their backs; however, not all of them fly. While they are not harmful, they do produce a foul-smelling substance to ward off potential threats.

Silky Terrier Dog Breed Playing Around
Pincher bugs are omnivores, which means they will consume almost anything put in front of them. They primarily feed on dead or decaying plant and animal matter in the garden. They will, however, readily feed on aphids, insect eggs, larvae, grubs, and armyworms. In this article, we will discuss what pinchers usually eat in their lifetime.

Insects

Pinchers usually feed on insects, which they will devour alive or dead. Pincher bugs eat sowbugs, lice, aphids, and the eggs of other insects. When a pincher enters a home, its diet includes stored cookies, flour, and bread.

Plants

Pinchers are opportunistic feeders who devour a variety of plants. Earwigs feed on new plant development, soft fruits like apricots, decorative plants, and flowers. The earwig damage might be visible on some crop and garden plants, and this damage can injure the plant to the point of making it unproductive. These insects may be a nuisance in greenhouses and gardens. Pincher bugs eat leafy greens like lettuce, roses, tomato leaves, radishes, potatoes, and sweet potatoes, and, in some circumstances, peanut pods. Pincher bugs can eat basil, leaves, and more.

Decaying Matter

Most pincher species eat on decaying vegetation, such as decomposing leaves and other decaying plant materials found under moist leaves or debris. They like dark and humid environments. These earwigs like to dwell and lay their eggs in these locations as well.

What Pinchers Do Not Eat

Although Pinchers are insects that eat pretty much everything, there are things that they avoid or are eaten by. A variety of natural predators eat them. Pincer bugs eat spiders, termites, ladybugs, roaches, centipedes, yellow jackets, frogs, birds, and parasitic wasps are among the most frequent insectivores that consume earwigs.