Black earwig

The black earwig (Chelisoches morio) is an insect belonging to the order Dermaptera and the family Chelisochidae. Known for its distinct glossy black appearance and significant size, this species is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions. Unlike many other earwigs that are primarily ground-dwelling, this species is highly mobile and frequently found on foliage and fruit bunches.

This pest affects a wide range of agricultural crops, including bananas, coffee, cacao, and various vegetable species. Chelisoches morio is an omnivorous insect; while it may feed on other smaller pests like aphids, it often shifts its diet to tender plant tissues, including flower buds, young leaves, and ripening fruit. This feeding habit poses a significant threat to commercial plantations by damaging plant structural integrity and fruit quality.

The life cycle of the black earwig consists of egg, nymph, and adult stages. Females exhibit maternal care, protecting the eggs within sheltered sites until they hatch. Nymphs pass through several instars before maturing into adults. They thrive in environments with high humidity and abundant organic debris, which provide both food and essential protection from predators and desiccation during the daylight hours.

Economic damage is caused by the physical destruction of plant parts, which can lead to reduced yields and secondary infections by fungi or bacteria. Because the insects prefer to hide in tight spaces, such as the crown of banana plants or within bunches, they are often difficult to detect until significant damage has already occurred. Their activity often leads to cosmetic blemishes on fruit, rendering them unsuitable for export markets.

Management and control strategies include the following approaches:

• Sanitation practices, such as removing debris and weeds to reduce harborages.
• Use of physical barriers and traps to reduce adult population density.
• Application of targeted insecticides only when monitoring confirms economic injury levels.
• Promotion of natural biological control through the conservation of beneficial predatory insects.
• Maintaining proper plantation spacing to decrease humidity and favorable living conditions for the pests.