What are the wingless earwigs with striped legs?

Likely ringlegged earwigs, named for the dark bands on their pale legs.

Do ringlegged earwigs hurt my garden?

Rarely much; they nibble plants but also eat many insects.

Adults are dark brown and wingless, 1/2 to 2/3 inch long, with pale legs banded dark around the middle.^[1]
Males have more curved pincers, with the right branch turned sharply inward at the tip.^[1]

Look-alike	How to tell them apart
Winged earwigs	Florida's common Doru earwigs have wings; the ringlegged earwig has none.^[1]

First found in the U.S. in 1884, it's now widespread in the southern states and Hawaii and known from many northern states.^[1]

US map: public records from 24 states since 1990 (GBIF).

Earwigs are nocturnal; females lay eggs in a small soil cell and guard them until shortly after hatching.^[1]

Adults are long-lived and can survive over 200 days.^[1]

It nibbles succulent plants like lettuce and the roots or tubers of radish, potato and sweet potato, usually of little consequence.^[1]
It sometimes contaminates produce, defecating on leafy greens.^[1]

UF/IFAS describes it mainly as a nuisance and mentions no risk to people.^[1]

It eats caterpillars, beetle larvae, leafhoppers and sowbugs, so control is rarely warranted.^[1]

Most residual insecticides kill it, and it takes bran baits; baits sold for mole crickets also work.^[1]

What are the wingless earwigs with striped legs?: Likely ringlegged earwigs, named for the dark bands on their pale legs.^[1]
Do ringlegged earwigs hurt my garden?: Rarely much; they nibble plants but also eat many insects.^[1]

University of Florida IFAS Extension (Featured Creatures), “Ringlegged Earwig, Euborellia annulipes (EENY-088).” edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN245 (accessed 2026-10-06)
iNaturalist, “Euborellia annulipes taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/196419 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-14. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.