Ringlegged earwig Euborellia annulipes mother repositioning eggs in nest. Earwigs are semi_social insects which lay their eggs in nests and bring up their young. They belong to a group of insects that number more than 2,000 species and live in cracks and crevices found in rocks, amongst debris, and under the bark of trees. Sometimes they find hideaways in and around homes and can become household pests. They can reach lengths of 2_3 cm and possess pincers located at the end of their abdomen which are used in prey capture and defense.