Randolph N. Candano, Marcela M. Navasero, Wilson de Panis
Earwigs are a distinctive group of mostly dark-colored (brown to black), small- to medium-sized insects that can be recognized through the following features: flattened elongated body, heavily sclerotized pincer-like cerci, two pairs of wings, chewing mouthparts, and moderately long antennae. The abdominal forceps and the shape of the wings, folded in a complex manner, characterize the group.
Earwigs are commonly found in dark, sheltered environments and are common under rocks, logs, and bark of trees. Earwigs are nocturnal and may often be attracted to lights at night. Most species of earwigs are omnivorous and eat a wide variety of plant material. Others also consume dead insects and other organisms, while some species prey on live insects. In the Philippines, several species of earwigs out of more than a hundred species have been observed.
Studies at the National Crop Protection Center, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños showed that Euborellia and Chelisoches species prey on some major crop pests including fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) in corn and coconut leaf beetle, Brontispa longissima (Gestro) in coconut. Ring-legged earwig, Euborellia sp. and the black earwig, Chelisoches morio (Fabricius) are considered beneficial and have been used for biological control against fall armyworm and coconut leaf beetle, respectively.
Euborellia sp. can consume larvae of fall armyworm. One individual Euborellia for every square meter of corn field is needed for the control of fall armyworm. First release can be done at 20-25 days after planting, and second release at 27-32 days after planting. In a similar way, black earwig can eat all stages of coconut leaf beetle. Using 5-10 nymphs, black earwig can be released in moderately infested coconut seedlings or trees on a need basis.
REFERENCES
Gonzales, A.B., Javier, P.A., Morallo-Rejesus, B. 1995. Dispersal of Euborellia annulata Anisolabididae in cornfield. Philippine Entomology Volume 9, No. 6.
Morallo-Rejesus, B., Javier, P. A. and Bato S. M. 1987. Current insect pest problems of corn and their management in the Philippines. Proc. 11th Int'l. Cong. Plt. Prot., Manila, Philippines
Navasero, MM & Navasero, MV. 2010. Biology of the black earwig, Chelisoches morio (Fabricius) (Chelisochidae, Dermaptera). The Philippine Entomologists. 24. 122-136.
Navasero MM, Navasero MV, Candano RN and Padilla JdG. 2017. Ang S&T Community-based Farm para sa Pagpuksa ng Pesteng Brontispa longissima (Gestro) sa Niyog Gamit ang Itim na Sipit-sipit, Chelisoches morio (Fabr.): Karanasan sa Nagcarlan, Laguna. College of Agriculture and Food Science. 2nd Flr. AB Samonte Hall, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna.
Navasero MM, de Panis MN, Ramirez DN and Candano RN. 2016. Pagapaparami ng pesteng Brontispa longissima (Gestro) ng niyog at ng maninila nitong sipit-sipit, Chelisoches morio (Fabr.) sa laboratory. National Crop Protection Center-Crop Protection Cluster, College of Agriculture, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031.ISBN 978-621-8055-04-9
Sakai, S., Javier, P. A., & Dayaoen-Abellon, C. L. 1993. Checklist of Philippine Dermaptera. The Philippine Agriculturist, 76(2), 231–235.
Randolph N. Candano, Marcela M. Navasero, Wilson de Panis
Earwigs are a distinctive group of mostly dark-colored (brown to black), small- to medium-sized insects that can be recognized through the following features: flattened elongated body, heavily sclerotized pincer-like cerci, two pairs of wings, chewing mouthparts, and moderately long antennae. The abdominal forceps and the shape of the wings, folded in a complex manner, characterize the group.
Earwigs are commonly found in dark, sheltered environments and are common under rocks, logs, and bark of trees. Earwigs are nocturnal and may often be attracted to lights at night. Most species of earwigs are omnivorous and eat a wide variety of plant material. Others also consume dead insects and other organisms, while some species prey on live insects. In the Philippines, several species of earwigs out of more than a hundred species have been observed.
Studies at the National Crop Protection Center, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños showed that Euborellia and Chelisoches species prey on some major crop pests including fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) in corn and coconut leaf beetle, Brontispa longissima (Gestro) in coconut. Ring-legged earwig, Euborellia sp. and the black earwig, Chelisoches morio (Fabricius) are considered beneficial and have been used for biological control against fall armyworm and coconut leaf beetle, respectively.
Euborellia sp. can consume larvae of fall armyworm. One individual Euborellia for every square meter of corn field is needed for the control of fall armyworm. First release can be done at 20-25 days after planting, and second release at 27-32 days after planting. In a similar way, black earwig can eat all stages of coconut leaf beetle. Using 5-10 nymphs, black earwig can be released in moderately infested coconut seedlings or trees on a need basis.
REFERENCES
Gonzales, A.B., Javier, P.A., Morallo-Rejesus, B. 1995. Dispersal of Euborellia annulata Anisolabididae in cornfield. Philippine Entomology Volume 9, No. 6.
Morallo-Rejesus, B., Javier, P. A. and Bato S. M. 1987. Current insect pest problems of corn and their management in the Philippines. Proc. 11th Int'l. Cong. Plt. Prot., Manila, Philippines
Navasero, MM & Navasero, MV. 2010. Biology of the black earwig, Chelisoches morio (Fabricius) (Chelisochidae, Dermaptera). The Philippine Entomologists. 24. 122-136.
Navasero MM, Navasero MV, Candano RN and Padilla JdG. 2017. Ang S&T Community-based Farm para sa Pagpuksa ng Pesteng Brontispa longissima (Gestro) sa Niyog Gamit ang Itim na Sipit-sipit, Chelisoches morio (Fabr.): Karanasan sa Nagcarlan, Laguna. College of Agriculture and Food Science. 2nd Flr. AB Samonte Hall, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna.
Navasero MM, de Panis MN, Ramirez DN and Candano RN. 2016. Pagapaparami ng pesteng Brontispa longissima (Gestro) ng niyog at ng maninila nitong sipit-sipit, Chelisoches morio (Fabr.) sa laboratory. National Crop Protection Center-Crop Protection Cluster, College of Agriculture, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031.ISBN 978-621-8055-04-9
Sakai, S., Javier, P. A., & Dayaoen-Abellon, C. L. 1993. Checklist of Philippine Dermaptera. The Philippine Agriculturist, 76(2), 231–235.