Forficula auricularia

Common Earwig - A vicious looking insect. Commonly thought they burrow into the human ear and lay eggs! Nothing is further from the truth. They are no more vicious that most insects with stings or pincers. A nip from the pincers is hardly painful at all. They are mainly used to ward off predators. The earwig is a really clean insect which cares for its young meticulously until they have reached maturity. Observed at Greaghnafarna Co. Leitrim.