Earwig (Guanchia uxoris)

A Tenerife endemic and closely associated with pine forests; its distribution encompasses Las Cañadas del Teide. This medium-sized earwig (12-15 mm) is dark brown, with lighter coloured forceps, except for the tips, which are black. These nocturnal insects shelter under stones, bark or stumps during the day. The genus Guanchia has 14 species throughout the world, 11 of which are Canary Island endemics now considered relict. Aside from G. uxoris, the 10 remaining Canary Island species are distributed in laurisilva laurel forests, except for the eastern islands, which have no woodland.