Earwigs have a face (and body) that only a mother could love.

Those despised insects give most folks the creeps with their long bodies, protruding pinchers, and slippery, slithering movements. Living among us, often in our homes, gives us reasons to revile them, as do the untrue rumors that they will crawl into our ears.

However, during this weekend of mother love, consider rethinking that repulsion.

While earwigs won’t be getting breakfast in bed, dinner at a fancy restaurant or any gifts of love from their offspring this Sunday, there are reasons to consider giving them the mother of the year award. Among insects, especially nonsocial ones, maternal care is unusual. Earwig moms buck that trend.  Mom goes to great lengths and spends a lot of time to assure the success of her offspring.

It starts early, even before her eggs are laid. An earwig couple create a dirt chamber or nest for their coming brood. Before the little ones arrive, the female drives away her male partner, perhaps in order to give all of her energy and support to her young.  Laying and caring for up to 80 eggs and offspring requires work in the case of earwigs. After she deposits her progeny, mom will spend most of her time caring for them. Like a hen, she will turn and move the eggs until they are hatched. She will also clean the eggs regularly in order to avoid the growth of a damaging fungus.

Even for earwigs, there is truth in the saying that a mother’s work is never done. Once the eggs hatch, she will attend to her young, called nymphs. Wrapping herself around them, she provides cover and protection. She will stay that way through the nymphs’ second molt — only leaving if the clutch is not viable. During this time, she will not leave her brood, even to feed. The young will consume their castoff eggs and molts for sustenance.

Eventually, mom will have to get food for herself and her young. They survive thanks to her food-gathering expertise. She will feed herself, only to then regurgitate food for her babies.

And somehow, she even teaches them the values of good siblinghood. Unlike many insect young that eat their brothers and sisters for survival, earwigs won’t consume each other. Even more impressive is that they share their food, even if the supply is limited. There is no place for sibling bullying in the earwig home. Food is shared equally, even if mom isn’t around to enforce peace and prosperity. Competition among these siblings is uncommon.

And if momma dies during this trying time, she gives her offspring the ultimate gift, her body. They will eat her if they need the nutrition.

So, this weekend, consider this unlikely maternal hero, the earwig. You may shudder to think of her success in raising the next generation of these creepy crawlers, but it is hard not to admire her mothering skills and dedication; and perhaps, reluctantly, wish her a happy Mother’s Day.

Suzan Bellincampi is director of the Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary in Edgartown, and author of Martha’s Vineyard: A Field Guide to Island Nature and The Nature of Martha’s Vineyard.