Ladybugs, dragonflies, fireflies… Everything you need to know about small insects of summer

The earwig, a misunderstood
insect The earwig or earwig is an insect that lives up to its name. Its claws, which are located at the back of its body, are not designed to pierce human ears, contrary to what one might think. The name “earworm” comes from the Renaissance and derives from the shape of these pliers, which recalls the tools used to pierce earlobes in the past. Another explanation suggests that the term “ear of corn” refers to a quarter of apricot, a fruit that the insect loves.

The nocturnal earwig also feeds on lice and fruits, making it another ally of gardeners. Although its appearance can scare children, its claws are only used to defend against predators or to catch prey.
The gendarme, this colorful soldier
The gendarme, also called “soldier” or “Swiss”, is a common insect that is easily recognizable by its red shell with black patterns. These nicknames allude to the uniform of the gendarmes and Swiss Guards, who once wore red uniforms in the royal army. Children often refer to it as the “man’s head” because of the black face-like pattern on its back.

In winter, the gendarmes gather under tree bark or dead leaves to protect themselves from the cold. Their diet consists mainly of the sap of lime seeds and decaying insects. When spring arrives, they take advantage of the sunny days to warm up, hence their other nickname: “Cherche-Midi”.

The cicada, the queen of summer symphonies
The cicada is an emblematic insect of the warm regions, especially in the south of France. Made famous by Jean de La Fontaine’s fable The Cicada and the Ant, it is known for its shrill song that resounds on hot summer days. However, La Fontaine was wrong about the eating habits of the cicada. Contrary to what one might think, it does not feed on insects, but sucks tree sap with the help of its rostrum, a kind of stinger.
Only the male sings, or rather, “cymbalizes” to attract a female. This chant, which is produced by the deformation of a membrane under the abdomen, can only be heard in broad daylight and on sunny days. When autumn comes, the grasshopper dies, which makes the famous scene in the fable where it begs for food from the ant in winter unlikely.

Last but not least, it would be a shame not to mention the beetle, this clumsy-looking reddish-brown beetle known for its heavy and disorderly flight. It has many nicknames, depending on the French region. In Lorraine it is called “Carambole”, in Nord-Pas-de-Calais it is known as “Hourlon”, while in Cantal it is nicknamed “oak animal” and in Normandy “Pinvole”.

Thus, these insects that inhabit our gardens and our landscape are an integral part of our natural and cultural heritage. Everyone, in their own way, plays an important role in the balance of our ecosystem and deserves to be observed and respected.