Biocontrol Science and Technology (2016) 26, 447-461

Norbert Maczey, Steve Edgington, Dave Moore and Tim Haye (2016)
Biology and host range testing of Triarthria setipennis and Ocytata pallipes (Diptera: Tachinidae) for the control of the European earwig (Forficula auricularia)
Biocontrol Science and Technology 26 (4), 447-461
Abstract: The European earwig (Forficula auricularia) is an invasive species in the Falkland Islands, causing considerable problems for local horticulture, as well threatening indigenous ecosystems. To assess the potential of a classical biological control introduction two parasitoid fly species, Triarthria setipennis and Ocytata pallipes (Diptera: Tachinidae), were collected from sites in southern and northern England and then tested for their suitability as earwig biological controls at Egham, UK. Both species had previously been introduced into North America for earwig control however little is known of their long-term efficacy and host specificity. Host range tests including both target and non-target species were done. As there are no native Dermaptera on the Falkland Islands, tests were restricted to the field cricket Gryllus assimilis and the Dubia cockroach Blaptica dubia, as representatives of insect orders phylogenetically closely related to earwigs. A second cricket species (Gryllus bimaculatus) was included in an egg-depositing experiment for O. pallipes. Both tachinid species successfully parasitised and emerged from earwigs under laboratory conditions but no signs of parasitisation and development were observed in either the cricket or cockroach.
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Database assignments for author(s): Tim Haye, Steve Edgington, Dave Moore

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution
non-target effects/fate in environm.

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Forficula auricularia		Falkland Islands
Triarthria setipennis (parasitoid)	Forficula auricularia		United Kingdom
Ocytata pallipes (parasitoid)	Forficula auricularia		United Kingdom