It is widespread globally in temperate climates, preferring warm locations such as compost heaps in parts of its range.

Labia minor is about half the size of Forficula auricularia,[2] at 4–7 millimetres (0.2–0.3 in) long.

[4] The whole body is covered with fine yellow setae, and the antennae are a paler color.

[4] Unusually for an insect, there is extensive maternal care of the eggs and offspring, with the mother feeding them for a week or two after they hatch.

The first record from the United States dates from 1838, but the species may have been present for a long time before that.