Hawai'i Nature Squad
Earwigs pinch prey, not fingers

By the Hawai'i Nature Center

An earwig's forked cerci or "pincers" catch prey but can't open wide enough to nip fingers. Advertiser library photo

Detectives Andy Anole and Penny Pinao were tiptoeing through the banana patch looking for their latest suspect. Patricia Pacote from Sunset Beach

Elementary School found shiny black insects with forked tails crawling on a bunch of bananas on her kitchen counter. She wanted the Hawai'i Nature Squad to find out if these "pincer bugs" could pinch a person with its tail.

"I have never seen so many birds," said Andy, trying to stay out of sight in the tall grass.

"Ripe Bananas! A Bulbul's dream come true!" replied Penny.

"Maybe we could distract a bulbul from his fruity lunch to ask some questions," suggested detective Anole.

Detective Pinao flew up toward the black-headed bird with red feathers under its tail. "Excuse me Mr. Bulbul," said Penny near the top of the banana tree, "Have you seen any shiny black insects with forked tails crawling around?"

"Check under those rotting bananas on the ground over there," answered the bulbul, in between pecks at his lunch."

"I've got a lead!," said Penny excitedly. "Lift that rotten banana, Andy."

Annoyed, Andy rolled the stinky banana over. A cloud of fruit flies surrounded the startled pair.

When the flies dispersed, Penny and Andy were face to face with a very disturbed black insect running around in circles flashing his forked tail.

"Watch it or I'll squeeze the life out of ya!," yelled the frantic insect.

"Harry, wipe the banana off your mouth," said a much calmer black bug. "I don't think these two mean any harm."

"We're from the Hawai'i Nature Squad!" said Penny. "We would like to ask a few questions about your intimidating forked appendage."

"You mean our cerci, or pincers, as the humans like to call them?," asked Ethel, the friendlier earwig.

"Hey! Don't breath so hard," said Harry, "These lethal weapons are sensitive to the movement of air!

"We've been sent to find out if you use your pincers to pinch people," said detective Pinao.

"These jagged pinchers help me capture prey and defend myself," said Harry Earwig.

"Our pinchers also come in handy for more amorous pursuits like mating. We even use them to tuck in our wings," added Ethel Earwig.

"Back to your original question," said a calmer Harry. "It would be tough to pinch a human finger. Our pincers really don't open wide enough."

"Yes," continued Ethel. "We've found our best defense against humans is to run and hide."

"Sounds like a good idea to me!," screamed Andy. He made a bee line for the outside of the banana patch, neatly escaping the hungry beak of a dive-bombing mynah.

"Hawai'i Nature Squad" is written by Kim Welch, Kelly Perry and Ati Jeffers-Fabro of Hawai'i Nature Center, an environmental education organization. It alternates in this spot with "Dr. Gadget's Science Machine."

Have you seen something unusual in nature that you want the Hawai'i Nature Squad to investigate? Write us a letter with your name, age, school, name of parent(s) and telephone number. Mail it to Hawai'i Nature Squad, c/o Hawai'i Nature Center, 2131 Makiki Heights Drive, Honolulu, HI 96822, or fax 955-0116. You may e-mail hawaiinaturecenter@hawaii.rr.com only if you're 13 or older.