Common midwife toad

The common midwife toad (Alytes obstetricans) is a member of the Alytidae family within the order Anura. It is scientifically distinguished by its unique parental care behavior: the male carries the eggs around his hind legs until they are ready to hatch, providing constant protection against environmental threats and predators.

In an agricultural context, it is crucial to state that the midwife toad is not a plant pest. It is exclusively carnivorous, feeding on various small invertebrates, such as slugs, beetles, caterpillars, and spiders. Therefore, it poses no threat to crops, vegetables, or ornamental plants in any growth stage.

Regarding its biology, the species prefers environments with high humidity and hiding spots such as stone walls, rock piles, or dense vegetation. These toads are primarily nocturnal, which allows them to emerge when pests like slugs are most active. Their life cycle depends on small, permanent water bodies necessary for the larval stage to complete development.

The economic importance of the midwife toad is entirely positive. By serving as an insectivore, it acts as a natural biological control agent in orchards and vegetable gardens. By preying on common garden pests, they contribute to the reduction of crop damage without the need for synthetic chemical interventions.

Effective management strategies that benefit these amphibians include reducing or eliminating the use of broad-spectrum pesticides, which are lethal to beneficial toads. Creating shelter sites, such as rock piles or log piles, and maintaining a healthy moisture balance in the garden are recommended to sustain their presence as long-term allies in plant health management.