earwig

noun

any of an order (Dermaptera) of widely distributed insects with short, horny forewings, a pair of forceps at the terminal end of the abdomen, and biting mouthparts

Etymology: ME erwig < OE earwicga < eare, ear + wicga, beetle, worm < IE base *weik-, to wind, bend > L vicia, vetch: so called from the baseless notion that it particularly seeks out the human ear to crawl into