Earwigs’ beauty forever in a dark cavity
by Phil Gates from on (#11BPA)
Weardale, County Durham If only they'd reveal those folded wings, translucent and iridescent, shaped like Chinese fans
It's not unusual for earwigs to be active on mild days mid winter but they are, by nature, nocturnal. This one, a male, was grazing on algae from the fence post in broad daylight. He would be easy prey for a passing bird.
No matter. His biological destiny was fulfilled. Somewhere, probably concealed in a cavity excavated under a stone, his consort would already be tending her eggs, soon to be nymphs, with a level of parental care that is unusual among insects.
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