Earwig (order Dermaptera) is any of approximately 1,800 species of insects that are characterised by

large membranous hindwings that lie hidden under short, leathery forewings. The name earwig is
derived from

The Anglo-Saxon word meaning "ear creature, probably because of a widespread ancient
superstition that earwigs crawl into the ears of sleeping people. The earwig varies from 5 to 50 mm
long and is Tat, slender, and dark-coloured. It has a shiny outer covering and simple biting
mouthparts, and it undergoes incomplete metamorphosis (i.e. egg. usually herbivorous. Several
species can fire a foul smelling liquid, formed in abdominal glands and probably protective in
function, for distances up to 10 cm. nymph, and adult stages). This nocturnal insect is

The earwig has a pair of horny forceps-like tail filaments, or pincers, at the posterior end of the
abdomen, with those of the male being larger and of a different shape than those of the female. It
has been suggested that the pincers may function in defense, in catching insects, and holding them
while eating, in helping the hindwings under the forewings, or during courtship fights for possession
of a female. When alarmed or aggressive, the earwig carries the pincers over its body in a scorpion-
like manner. In some species, earwig females exhibit maternal care, defending and feeding the
newly hatched immatures.

Oasis is an area of vegetation surrounded by desert, having a source of water to support plant and
animal life. It can be found in desert regions of the Arabian Peninsula, the Sahara Desert of Egypt
and many other desert regions of the world.

Few oases are natural, where springs or ground water is close to the surface. Balmorhea State Park
of Texas has a natural spring that produces more than 20 million gallons of water each day. A large
pool for public use has been constructed, fed by the water flowing from the spring.

Today an oasis can be created artificially by digging or drilling for a water source underground.

Horizontal tunnels for ground water are traditionally dug, inclined slightly upward under higher
ground nearby, permitting ground water to flow downhill to the oasis.

Oases can be small and large. Small ones can be springs or wells with vegetation on less than one
acre of ground. Whereas, several oases may cover several square miles. Al-Ahsa in eastern Saudi
Arabia is the largest oasis in Asia, having natural springs that have been used by local people for
thousands of years..