Topic: I need help identifying an insect I just swatted!

[Howarth]

I have just killed the most weird looking insect and I really think its not of British origin!! It had a flat head with two huge black eyes then a green triangle on its back and the end of its body was shaped like a wasp with stripes but they were red and black it also had two pincer type things right at the end of its body. Any ideas? Ive tried using the insect key but cant find anything even remotely like it there!

[Astronuc]

Any chance you can post a digital image?  That would help.

About how big are the wings?

Are the wings paired? And does it have long tail between wings and pincer?

Does it have large bulging eyes?

[yale]

European Earwig??

[Orstio]

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2068.html

Earwigs are elongate, flattened insects, ranging from light red-brown to black and are easily recognized by their forcep-like appendages (pincers) on the end of the abdomen. The forceps (cerci) are unequal in length in the males. Earwig female forceps are straight-sided, whereas male forceps are strongly curved (caliper-like) and larger. They have chewing mouthparts and long, slender antennae and are either winged or wingless. If wings are present, the first pair are hard, short and "beetle-like," while the second pair are membranous, fan-shaped and folded under the hard first pair of wings. Tips of the second pair of wings usually protrude from under the first pair. The European earwig ranges from 1/2 to 3/4 inch long, with banded legs and reddish head. The ringlegged earwig ranges from 1/2 to 3/5 inch long and is black-yellowish underneath with legs having dark crossbands. Young earwigs (nymphs) are similar to adults. They are white to olive-green and lack wings.