Insects belonging to the Order Dermaptera (literally meaning skin wings) are commonly called earwigs. Earwigs possess large membranous wings that are folded under short, leathery forewings. The term "earwig" is thought to come from an old belief that this insects crawls into the human ear and lay their eggs in the human brain.

British earwigs, according to a British documentary, mate for life. They are very protective of their brood. When their eggs (laid underground) are disturbed, the bristletails will not rest until all eggs are accounted for.