Kauaʻi record · KCA-IA-00611
Black Earwig
Chelisoches morio
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About Black Earwig
Black Earwig (Chelisoches morio) is a member of Chelisochidae in the order Dermaptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced / polynesian-era or early adventive.
Black Earwig (Chelisoches morio) is documented from Kauaʻi. Earwigs develop through incomplete metamorphosis and carry forceps-like cerci at the end of the abdomen. Many are nocturnal omnivores or predators. On Kauaʻi, observations are most useful when they record shelter/substrate, prey/feeding, sex, nymph/adult and complete cerci. Where island-specific host, prey, breeding-site, abundance, or seasonal information is not yet firmly documented, those details should remain tied to direct specimens and field observations rather than inferred from populations elsewhere.
Black Earwig (Chelisoches morio) is a widespread predatory/omnivorous earwig on Kauaʻi.
Kauaʻi occurrence evidence: A 1992 Kapahi, Kauaʻi Department of Agriculture survey directly observed Chelisoches morio; UH CTAHR reports the black earwig on all six major Hawaiian islands.
The cited occurrence evidence does not by itself establish current abundance or population trend on Kauaʻi.
Life cycle
Egg; nymphal instars; adult; no pupa.
Habitat
Leaf litter, bark, vegetation, gardens, crops, and sheltered crevices.
Food and ecological role
Small arthropods, plant material, detritus, or mixed diet.
Reproduction
Females lay eggs in protected sites; maternal guarding occurs in many earwigs.
Movement
Primarily walking; adults of some species can fly.
Ecosystem role
Omnivore/predator/scavenger.
Threats and impacts
Introduced earwigs can affect native arthropods or crops depending on abundance.
Monitoring
Record shelter/substrate, prey/feeding, sex, nymph/adult and complete cerci.
Names and classification
- Scientific name
- Chelisoches morio
- Common names
- Black Earwig
- Family
- Chelisochidae
- Order
- Dermaptera
- Record type
- species
Kauaʻi occurrence and status
- Kauaʻi occurrence
- Present
- Origin
- Introduced / Polynesian-era or early adventive
- Conservation status
- Not assessed
Process and seasonal context
- Seasonal description
- Black Earwig (Chelisoches morio) is a member of Chelisochidae in the order Dermaptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced / polynesian-era or early adventive.