BioControl (2017) 62, 469-479

David P. Logan, Bridget J. Maher and Christina A. Rowe (2017)
Predation of diaspidid scale insects on kiwifruit vines by European earwigs, Forficula auricularia, and steel-blue ladybirds, Halmus chalybeus
BioControl 62 (4), 469-479
Abstract: Significant predation of diaspidid scale insects occurs in unsprayed kiwifruit crops. Two predators, Forficula auricularia L. (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) and Halmus chalybeus (Boisduval) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) are likely to be important. Most F. auricularia were found as late instars or adults in the canopy of kiwifruit vines in late spring and early summer. Adults of H. chalybeus were present throughout the year but at lower densities on kiwifruit vines than on other host plants. In the field predation of scale insects occurred mainly at night and preferentially on late-instar scale insects consistent with the feeding behaviour of F. auricularia, not H.chalybeus. The latter mainly fed on early instar insects during the day. Numbers of scale insect crawlers were not correlated with numbers of F. auricularia or of H. chalybeus in kiwifruit vine canopies.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): David P. Logan

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
surveys/distribution/isolation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Forficula auricularia (predator)
Halmus chalybeus (predator)