Plant Matter:
* Flowers: They often eat the petals and pollen of flowers, especially roses.
* Fruits: Ripe and decaying fruits are a favorite.
* Leaves: They can cause damage to leaves, especially if they are soft and tender.
* Vegetables: They might feed on vegetables like lettuce, beans, and squash.
* Seeds: Earwigs will eat seeds, especially if they are found on the ground or in decaying matter.
Animal Matter:
* Small insects: They are opportunistic predators and will eat other small insects like aphids, mites, and caterpillars.
* Dead insects: Earwigs are scavengers and will feed on dead insects.
* Other invertebrates: They may also eat other invertebrates like spiders, worms, and snails.
Overall, earwigs are beneficial insects as they help control populations of other insects. However, they can become pests if their numbers get too high, as they can damage crops and flowers.