Aya's mother, a witch pursued by twelve others, abandoned her infant daughter at St. Morwald's Home for Children. She left a note explaining the pursuit, promising eventual return, and naming the child Earwig; the orphanage matron later renamed her Erica Wigg (or Aya Gance).

She was the lead vocalist for the rock band Earwig, featuring Mandrake on keyboards and Bella Yaga on drums. Internal conflicts, notably a major dispute between her and Bella Yaga, caused the band's dissolution. Her affectionate relationship with Mandrake influenced his later treatment of Aya.

Her magic includes transforming locks of her thick, curly red hair into enchanted worms to obstruct pursuers, a tactic used during her escape. Aya inherited this magical potential, which manifested later.

The character reappears unexpectedly at Mandrake and Bella Yaga's residence during Aya's Christmas reunion with her orphanage friend Custard. This confirms her survival and fulfills the promise made in her initial note. The note and subsequent revelations confirm her maternity and the circumstances forcing Aya's abandonment. Her younger depictions consistently show thick, curly red hair.