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 a cosmopolitan pest known for its adaptability to various environments, including gardens, greenhouses, and agricultural fields, where it thrives in moist soil conditions.

Biology and life cycle. This species undergoes incomplete metamorphosis, consisting of egg, nymph, and adult stages. Females exhibit maternal care, protecting their egg batches in subterranean chambers. The developmental speed depends on moisture levels and temperature. Under favorable conditions, multiple generations can occur annually, allowing the population to build up rapidly.

Nature of damage. Being a generalist feeder, the ring-legged earwig consumes both decaying organic matter and living plant tissues. They feed nocturnally, causing irregular holes in leaves, petals, and young shoots. They are particularly destructive to delicate seedlings and low-hanging fruits or vegetables, often consuming the tender parts of the plants.

Economic importance. These earwigs represent a significant threat to nurseries, ornamental plant production, and vegetable farming. Their feeding activity not only directly reduces plant biomass but also degrades the quality of produce, making them unsalable. Their ability to hide deep in the soil makes them difficult to target with conventional surface treatments.

Control measures. Integrated pest management strategies are essential for effective control:

• Sanitation by removing debris, wood piles, and mulch near susceptible crops to eliminate shelters.
• Deployment of physical traps, such as corrugated cardboard or rolled-up burlap, to collect and destroy the insects.
• Soil management techniques, including tillage, to disrupt nests and nesting sites.
• Application of targeted insecticides in evening hours when the pests are most active if cultural methods fail to reduce population density.