Forficula auricularia, the common earwig or European earwig, is an omnivorous insect in the family Forficulidae. The European earwig survives in a variety of environments and is a common household insect in North America. The name "earwig" comes from a false superstition that these insects crawl into human ears and enter the brain; in fact, they are harmless to humans. However, they are considered a pest because of the damage they do to crops, their frightening appearance, ability to fly (which they rarely use), foul odor, and tendency to invade crevices in homes and consume pantry foodstuffs