Maritime/Seaside Earwigs (Anisolabis maritima)
Pricing: Dead (spread, as pictured): $20-$30 each (male or female), depending on size. Live: $5-$10 each (depending on size, sex and season).
Geographic Range: Cosmopolitan
View: Top Sex: Male (left) & Female (right) Size: 3 cm +
Availability Notes: Available live May through November
Anisolabis maritima is a widespread denizen of the littoral zone, generally found along the seacoasts of the world, where it forages on plants and animals both living and dead. Eurasian in origin, it has been introduced via ships to many ports on many continents. It was discovered in the U.S.A. in 1921 and now can be found on both coasts. Males are often larger than females and are recognized by their thickened, sickle-shaped cerci (the females are much more straight). Also, males have 10 abdominal segments and females have 8. Females create underground nesting chambers for their eggs, which are guarded and kept clean. The young are cared for and fed during the first few instars but later abandoned. It should be noted that A. maritima is nocturnal and can be encountered foraging out in the open at night.