Ring-legged earwig

Systematic position: The ring-legged earwig (Euborellia annulipes) is a member of the order Dermaptera and the family Anisolabididae. This insect is widely distributed in warm climates and is recognized as a significant pest in agricultural settings due to its adaptability and cryptic nesting habits.

Crops and damage: These pests infest a wide array of agricultural products, including vegetables, fruits, and nursery plants. They primarily feed on roots, tender shoots, and low-hanging fruits. The damage caused typically presents as irregular, chewed-out holes, which often serve as entry points for secondary pathogens and fungal diseases.

Biology and life cycle: The life cycle progresses through eggs, several nymphal stages, and adults. Female earwigs exhibit maternal care, protecting their egg masses in underground burrows. Their population growth is highly dependent on humidity levels and soil structure, which provide the necessary conditions for successful development through the warmer months.

Economic impact: The damage to young seedlings can result in significant stand losses, directly affecting agricultural yields. In greenhouses, where environmental conditions are optimized, the infestation can become chronic, causing substantial economic hardship for growers who must manage both the physical damage and the resulting secondary infections.

Protection measures: Controlling Euborellia requires a multi-faceted approach to limit their survival:

• Regular soil tillage to destroy nesting sites and disrupt the life cycle.
• Eliminating debris, wood piles, and weeds that serve as daytime harborages.
• Deployment of trap crops or physical traps (such as damp rolled paper) to gather and dispose of the insects.
• Targeted application of insecticides registered for soil-dwelling pests when infestations cross economic thresholds.