Forest earwig

The forest earwig (Chelidurella acanthopygia) is an insect species belonging to the order Dermaptera and the family Forficulidae. Primarily an inhabitant of forest litter, this species adapts to suburban and rural gardens when environmental conditions, such as high moisture levels, favour its population expansion.

In terms of biology, the forest earwig is a detritivore that supplements its diet with plant material. Its life cycle involves hemimetabolous development, with nymphs resembling smaller versions of adults. Females exhibit maternal care, protecting their eggs and early-stage nymphs within subterranean or surface nests located in moist, sheltered microhabitats.

The host range includes various vegetable crops, soft fruits, and ornamental plants. When natural food sources in the leaf litter become scarce or the population density is high, they actively move onto plants. They are particularly attracted to succulent tissues, including young shoots, flower petals, and developing fruits like strawberries.

Damage caused by the forest earwig is characterized by ragged, irregular holes in leaves and petals, as well as surface pitting on fruits. Beyond direct feeding damage, their presence creates entry points for secondary pathogens, such as fungi and bacteria, which can lead to rapid decay of the affected plant parts, significantly impacting the harvest.

Effective management and control strategies include:

• Maintaining garden hygiene by removing debris, piles of wood, and excessive mulch where earwigs hide during the day.
• Using cardboard traps placed near infested plants to collect and remove adults manually in the morning.
• Encouraging natural predators such as birds, toads, and ground beetles that naturally regulate earwig populations.
• Applying diatomaceous earth around the base of sensitive crops to create a mechanical barrier against crawling insects.