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The "fall armyworm", Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a significant pest of many crops, particularly maize. To control it, genetically modified plants and synthetic pesticides are the main strategies employed, which has led to the emergence of resistant populations to both methods. The earwig Doru lineare (Eschscholtz) (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) has been observed in Argentina consuming both eggs and early instars S. frugiperda larvae. To contribute to the implementation of a rational pest management system, field cage tests were conducted to assess the efficiency of D. lineare as a predator against S. frugiperda and its potential protection of maize seedlings from the pest. The results of the tests showed that the survival rate of S. frugiperda larvae was significantly affected by the presence of earwigs. When two earwigs were released into a cage containing ten maize seedlings infested with twenty S. frugiperda larvae, after ten days, the dry weight of the plants was significantly higher and the level of damage was significantly lower compared to those without earwig release. These results confirm the protective effect of D. lineare against S. frugiperda, suggesting that earwigs should be considered as promising predators in conservation control strategies for maize crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Diatraea saccharalis (Fabr.) is considered the key pest of sugarcane crops in the Argentine northwest. The earwig Doru luteipes (Scudder) develops high populations on sugarcane, and in other regions it was depicted as a significant predator of diverse pest in corn, cotton, and cabbage crops. The aim of this contribution is to inform about different biological parameters of this Dermaptera, and to assess the predatory capacity of its nymphs by means of the estimation of consumption rates using Diatraea saccharalis eggs. Both field and laboratory observations were carried out. In the latter, 50 neonate nymphs were confined in glass tubes and 100 sugarcane borer eggs were provided daily. Information on different behavioral aspects is provided. In field conditions, the sex proportion is approximately 1:1; an average of 31 eggs were laid, and the emergence rate reached 95%. Egg incubation is complete within a range of 6-10 days, and pre-imaginal development has a mean duration of 37.6 days. Throughout the four nymphal instars, a single individual could consume an average of 591.3 sugarcane borer eggs. The potential implication of the given information in applied sugarcane borer control methodologies is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]