Forficula auricularia (predator)
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Author(s): Eugene Zelenko
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Forficula auricularia (predator) Linnaeus - (common earwig)
This earwig is considered an important predator of orchard pests in some countries. It is highly polyphagous, feeding on insects like aphids, scales, caterpillars, psyllids or gall midges. However, as an omnivore it feeds also on plant material and can damage fruits or contaminate them with its frass. In countries where it is regarded as beneficial, fruit damage caused by the insect is regarded as minor compared to its benefits as predator of fruit pests (Jana et al., 2021).
This species has been accidentally introduced into several other countries where populations can reach high densities. In areas where it is not native, it is often regarded as a plant and nuisance pest, see F. auricularia (as plant/nuisance pest) for details and literature on that aspect.
| Vernacular names | |
|---|---|
| • Deutsch: | Gemeiner Ohrwurm |
| • English: | common earwig European earwig |
| • Français: | forficule commun |
For a review see Orpet et al. (2019).
- Other images of Forficula auricularia (predator) (Wikimedia Commons, IPM Images and PaDIL - click to enlarge)
female in defensive pose
female
female
male
head
cerci of female
cerci of male
male pinchers (curved inside)
