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Pear psyllid (Cacopsylla pyri) is a persistent pest to the pear industry; with an estimated cost of £5 million per annum in the UK alone. This phloem feeding insect is resistant to a large proportion of approved pesticides, necessitating the use of alternative control strategies. Many pear growers practice integrated pest management (IPM) of pear psyllid, focusing on maximizing natural enemy populations, whilst minimizing the use of agrochemical sprays. The anthocorid Anthocoris nemoralis and the European earwig Forficula auricularia are particularly effective at controlling pear psyllid populations during the summer months. Despite the effectiveness of both natural enemies, there is a lack of understanding on whether both species should be promoted together or separately, due to the risk of intraguild predation (IGP) or interference competition. Furthermore, abiotic factors including temperature may influence both behaviors, altering activity level and niche overlap. Although IGP and interference competition have been documented between multiple species of natural enemies neither have been studied between these two specific predators. Using microcosm experiments, olfactometer assays and survival analyses this study demonstrated whether A. nemoralis and F. auricularia can be used in synchrony to control pear psyllid. Results indicated that IGP is present; F. auricularia will consume A. nemoralis when predators are not spatially separate and in absence of psyllid prey. There was no evidence for interference competition, although both predators consumed more prey at higher temperatures. This confirms that pear growers can encourage both predators for the control of pear psyllid without losing predation efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Brazil, the common earwig Doru luteipes (Scudder) (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) is considered an important biocontrol agent for the maize crop, consuming the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) eggs and caterpillars from 1st to the 3rd instar. Despite this, several aspects of the interaction between these species have not yet been studied. We aim to evaluate the non‐consumptive effects of earwigs on the oviposition of moths, the earwig's predatory preference between eggs and neonates and its functional response to S. frugiperda eggs. In no‐choice tests between plants with or without the presence of the predator, S. frugiperda moths deposited a smaller number of eggs on plants with risk of predation. In choice‐based tests, earwigs initially attacked newborn caterpillars, but preferred to feed on eggs. Males and females fed more on eggs with increasing supply density and consumption was adjusted to the type II functional response curve. D. luteipes males were more efficient predators than females when exposed to higher egg densities. These findings clarify aspects of the predatory role of D. luteipes on S. frugiperda that had not yet been addressed and suggest that the earwig has potential for impacting the colonization and population growth of S. frugiperda in maize crops, if conditions are favourable to its early arrival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Charms were a commonplace form of medical intervention in late‐medieval England, as they allowed afflicted and ailing devotees to seek the aid of saints and biblical figures. Those holy dead who had suffered something on earth were considered particularly adept at posthumously treating the same in their devotees, with the words used to recount their travails believed to possess curative power. This essay examines a selection of pox, earwig and worm charms circulating in England ca. 1300–1550, specifically those powered by the fifth‐century saint Nicasius of Rheims and Old Testament figure Job. It begins by demonstrating how charms aligned with contemporary medicine, natural philosophy and orthodox Christian devotion, particularly regarding the use of words as material ingredients. Then, this essay reconstructs how these otherwise static texts, at the nexus of religion and medical science, could transform into living, curative performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.), is responsible for extensive losses in brassicas' production, with its control heavily relying on the use of insecticides. The imbricated brassica's leaves on the stem provide a suitable habitat for the ring‐legged earwig, Euborellia annulipes (Lucas), to attack DBM larvae and pupae. The study focused on the combination of the earwig with indoxacarb and cyantraniliprole against DBM, as these insecticides target chewing and sucking sap pests infesting Brassica crops, respectively. These insecticides were tested against adult earwigs, 5th instar nymphs and predation upon DBM. When exposed to the recommended rates, the survival rates for nymphs were 74%, 100% and 96% in the cyantraniliprole, indoxacarb and control groups, respectively, and over 90% for adults. When 5th instar earwig nymphs were exposed to cyantraniliprole, they took 16.3 days to develop compared to indoxacarb (3.4 days) or the control group (3.2 days). Furthermore, females exposed to cyantraniliprole required more time to initiate oviposition and produced fewer eggs in the first egg batch. Despite that, the egg‐hatching rate was greater than 80% in all treatments. Female earwigs confined to indoxacarb‐ or cyantraniliprole‐treated or untreated leaves and DBM larvae maintained similar survival but lower consumption of DBM larvae when exposed to cyantraniliprole. The findings revealed that cyantraniliprole weakened the potential of the ring‐legged earwig to control DBM. On the other hand, indoxacarb was harmless to the earwig and showed additive mortality for the pest. Therefore, indoxacarb seems compatible with E. annulipes, while cyantraniliprole has a sublethal effect that slows down development and reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared to wingless insects, pterygote insects profit from numerous wing‐related benefits including a wider distribution range, the exploitation of various food resources and the escape from water‐ or land‐confined predators. In order to maintain the wings´ functionality, the wing design and resistance to material fatigue are of key importance. This is even more essential for survival when considering that wings are used for millions of wing beat cycles but cannot be repaired and do not contain inner muscles so that their aerodynamic performance is mainly based on passive, structure‐based wing deformations. One of the components serving this purpose is the endowment of certain wing components with the elastomeric protein resilin building stable and complex material composites with the tanned cuticle. Resilin endows the respective structures with, e.g., higher flexibility and compliance and enables elastic energy storage. In this study, the occurrence of resilin in the insect flight system is reviewed based on previous studies of several insect orders including Odonata, Orthoptera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Dermaptera, and Diptera, and the function of resilin is discussed with reference to the respective structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occidozyga martensii is widely distributed from southern China to Malaysia. However, there is a lack of data on the dietary ecology of this species. In this study, we investigated the diet of O. martensii from Ba Den Mountain Cultural and Historical Complex, Tay Ninh Province, Vietnam. The stomach-flushing method was employed to obtain stomach contents of 112 individuals (including 48 males and 64 females) at three sites. We identified 26 prey categories from 308 food items, including 307 items of invertebrates and one amphibian. The food spectrum of O. martensii consists of 11 insect orders (Blattodea, Dermaptera, Isoptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Thysanura, Orthoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Trichoptera, Hymenoptera), other invertebrate groups (Gastropoda, Araneae, Decapoda, Scolopendromorpha), and a small frog. The frequency of prey occurrence for these categories ranges from 1.16% to 20.93%. Coleoptera (20.93%), Hymenoptera (17.44%), Araneae (15.12%), Lepidoptera (13.95%), and Isoptera (11.63%) are the important prey categories in terms of occurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study surveyed the diversity of yeast species in the guts of various insects from three Bulgarian National Parks, Vitosha, Rila, and Pirin. Insects from a wide range of taxonomic groups, including Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Dermaptera, and Collembola, were collected. Yeast strains were identified using DNA barcoding of ribosomal markers. This study found 89 ascomycetous and 18 basidiomycetous yeast isolates. Forty-two percent of the yeast isolates represented novel yeast species. Our study confirms that insects remain a rich source of unknown yeast species. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive survey aimed at assessing the diversity of yeast species inhabiting the guts of various insect species collected mainly from two Bulgarian National Parks, namely, Rila, and Pirin. The insect specimens encompass a broad taxonomic spectrum, including representatives from Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Dermaptera, Isopoda, and Collembola. Yeast strains were identified with DNA barcoding using the ribosomal markers, specifically, the D1/D2 domains of the ribosomal large subunit (LSU) and the internal transcribed spacers regions ITS 1 + 2 (ITS). The analysis unveiled the presence of 89 ascomycetous and 18 basidiomycetous yeast isolates associated with the insect specimens. Furthermore, our study identified 18 hitherto unknown yeast species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the diversity of species of predators attacking scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccidae) in Serbia. Over a four-year period, at 25 locations and on 25 host plants infested with 16 species of Coccidae, a total of 18,050 predators were collected and reared. Among them, were 16 species belonging to 7 families and 5 insect orders (Coleoptera, Dermaptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, and Neuroptera). Six species, Harmonia axyridis, Hippodamia variegata, Propylea quatuordecimpunctata, Forfi cula auricularia, Deraeocoris ruber and Oxycarenus lavaterae, were recorded for the first time feeding on coccid pests in Serbia and O. lavaterae was first recorded being zoophagous. The most common species was Exochomus quadripustulatus, which was recorded feeding on all 16 species of soft scale insects, while the dominant species was Anthribus nebulosus, with a total of 17,385 individuals collected and reared on five species of soft scale. Considering the potential of the predators as biocontrol agents for suppressing scale insects, the data obtained indicate the need to understand predator diversity, which is one of the prerequisites for using these predators for controlling coccid pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: Leafless, heterotrophic plants are prime examples of organismal modification, the genomic consequences of which have received considerable interest. In particular, plastid genomes (plastomes) are being sequenced at a high rate, allowing continual refinement of conceptual models of reductive evolution in heterotrophs. However, numerous sampling gaps exist, hindering the ability to conduct comprehensive phylogenomic analyses in these plants. Methods: Using floral tissue from an herbarium specimen, we sequenced and analyzed the plastome of Degranvillea dermaptera, a rarely collected, leafless orchid species from South America about which little is known, including its phylogenetic affinities. Results: The plastome is the most reduced of those sequenced among the orchid subfamily Orchidoideae. In Degranvillea, it has lost the majority of genes found in leafy autotrophic species, is structurally rearranged, and has similar gene content to the most reduced plastomes among the orchids. We found strong evidence for the placement of Degranvillea within the subtribe Spiranthinae using models that explicitly account for heterotachy, or lineage‐specific evolutionary rate variation over time. We further found evidence of relaxed selection on several genes and of correlations among substitution rates and several other "traits" of the plastome among leafless members of orchid subfamily Orchidoideae. Conclusions: Our findings advance knowledge on the phylogenetic relationships and paths of plastid genome evolution among the orchids, which have experienced more independent transitions to heterotrophy than any other plant family. This study demonstrates the importance of herbarium collections in comparative genomics of poorly known species of conservation concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(Objective) The present paper aimed to clarify the diversity, distribution, and occurrence dynamics of the main pest communities in pure plantations of Melaleuca leucadendron and its mixed plantations with Eucalyptus plantations and Podocarpus macrophyllus in Guangxi, providing a basis for the cultivation of M. leucadendron and green non-pollution pest control. (Method In 2023, the planting areas of M. leucadendron in Qinzhou, Guangxi were investigated, mainly through route surveys and standard plot surveys, supplemented by fixed-point monitoring, regular surveys and indoor rearing observations. The study focused on the composition, diversity and occurrence dynamics of the main pest communities in M. leucadendron and its mixed plantations. (Result) There were 28 species of main pests belonging to 22 families in M. leucadendron plantations, including Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Dermaptera and Thysanoptera, with the highest numbers of pests in the Lepidoptera and Hemiptera. Higher numbers were found in M. leucadendron Eucalyptus mixed plantations, with significant damage to leaves by Euricania ocellus, Bombotelia sp., Strepsicrates coriariae, Jankowskia fuscaria and Hyalopterus arundimis. Among the three types of stands, B. jocosatrix caused the most severe damage in the mixed plantations, the highest number of pest species was found in the mixed forests of M. leucadendron P. macrophyllus and the pest diversity was the lowest in the pure stands. The pest occurrence dynamics were more stable and the damage was less severe in the M. leucadendron x P. macrophyllus mixed plantations. There were differences in the abundance of pests and Chaol index among different stand types, with the M. leucadendron Eucalyptus mixed plantations having a higher pest abundance and Chaol index. The occurrence dynamics of B. jocosatrix and M. phaseoli varied among different stands, with the earliest outbreaks of B. jocosatrix in the M. leucadendron Eucalyptus mixed plantations and M. phaseoli in the pure M. leucadendron stands. (Conclusion】 Mixed plantations of M. leucadendron with different species can help improve pest occurrence and diversity, with the M. leucadendron x P. macrophyllus mixed plantations reducing the occurrence of major pests among the three stand types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of herbicides on crops often results in unintentional, low-dose exposure of non-target organisms, such as insects. While these exposures are increasingly known to alter the survival and physiology of insects, it remains unclear whether these effects can vary between populations and modify other fitness-related traits, such as behaviour and immunity. Here, we addressed these questions by testing the effects of sublethal exposure to a glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH) on the behaviour and immunity of European earwig males from six natural populations. We exposed each male to a dose of a common GBH (Roundup©) that was either recommended for crops, five times lower than that recommended for crops, or to a control solution. Twenty-four hours later, we measured the activity, boldness, and aggregation of each male. We then exposed them to an entomopathogenic fungus, monitored their survival for 6 weeks, and measured the immune response of the survivors. We found a condition-dependent effect of GBH exposure on male activity. Exposure to low doses induced a positive association between activity and weight, which was not observed in the high-dose and control groups. However, GBH had no effect on any of the other measured traits. All these results were consistent across the six populations tested, although we did find population-specific differences in almost all measurements on males. Further research is now needed to better understand the dose–response to GBH on male activity and its biological impact, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of detoxification processes in this species. Overall, these results emphasise the importance of investigating the effects of herbicides on insects to expand our general understanding of the use and potential risks of plant protection products in integrated pest management programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the phylogenetic placement of the Karschiellidae family of earwigs, which has been a subject of debate due to a lack of DNA-grade material for analysis. The study successfully sequenced representatives of the Karschiellidae family for the first time and proposed a probable evolutionary scheme and natural classification based on a constructed multigene phylogeny. The study found that the Karschiellidae family is nested within the Protodermaptera infraorder in the Pygidicranidae family. The article provides detailed information on the methodology and results of the study, including phylogenetic trees and morphological support for the inclusion of Karschiellidae in Pygidicranidae. [Extracted from the article]

Fruit fly ground-dwelling stages (late third instar larvae, pupae, and teneral adults) are susceptible to predation from generalist ground-dwelling predators and to infection by entomopathogenic fungi (EPF). The effect of predators can be enhanced with cover crops and that of EPF by augmentative releases. However, whether these two biological control methods could be combined has not been studied under field conditions yet. Here, we studied in the field whether the enhanced activity of predators against the medfly, Ceratitis capitata, already observed in a Lolium arundinaceum ground cover could be impaired by a soil application of Metarhizium brunneum. Our results show that C. capitata adult emergence was reduced by this EPF for up to three months after fungal application, with the combination of the cover and M. brunneum being the most effective at reducing C. capitata emergence relative to bare soil (92.5% reduction). Although M. brunneum reduced the activity density of ground-dwelling predatory beetles up to 93 days after application, it showed no clear negative effects on earwigs, no effects on spiders, and a positive effect on ants up to 65 days after application. Therefore, the combined use of a ground cover of L. arundinaceum and M. brunneum against the soil-dwelling stages of C. capitata seems to work synergistically and appears as a strong and sustainable control tactic against the medfly and other fruit orchard pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reasons why some individuals are solitary, and others gregarious are the subject of ongoing debate as we seek to understand the emergence of sociality. Recent studies suggest that the expression of aggregation behaviors may be linked to the gut microbiota of the host. Here, we tested this hypothesis in females of the European earwig. This insect is ideal for addressing this question, as adults both naturally vary in the degree to which they live in groups and show interindividual variation in their gut microbial communities. We video-tracked 320 field-sampled females to quantify their natural variation in aggregation and then tested whether the most and least gregarious females had different gut microbiota. We also compared the general activity, boldness, body size, and body condition of these females and examined the association between each of these traits and the gut microbiota. Contrary to our predictions, we found no difference in the gut microbiota between the most and least gregarious females. There was also no difference in activity, boldness, and body condition between these two types of females. Independent of aggregation, gut microbiota was overall associated with female body condition, but not with any of our other measurements. Overall, these results demonstrate that a host's gut microbiota is not necessarily a major driver or a consequence of aggregation behavior in species with inter-individual variation in group living and call for future studies to investigate the determinants and role of gut microbiota in earwigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viticulture worldwide is challenged by grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs). Involvement of arthropods in the dissemination process of GTD pathogens, notably esca pathogens, is indicated after detection of associated pathogens on arthropod exoskeletons, and demonstration of transmission under artificial conditions. The present study is the first to quantify spore loads via qPCR of the esca-relevant pathogen Phaeomoniella chlamydospora on arthropods collected in German vineyards, i.e., European earwigs (Forficula auricularia), ants (Formicidae), and two species of jumping spiders (Marpissa muscosa and Synageles venator). Quantification of spore loads showed acquisition on exoskeletons, but most arthropods carried only low amounts. The mycobiome on earwig exoskeletons was described for the first time to reveal involvement of earwigs in the dispersal of GTDs in general. Metabarcoding data support the potential risk of earwigs as vectors for predominantly Pa. chlamydospora and possibly Eutypa lata (causative agent of Eutypa dieback), as respective operational taxonomical unit (OTU) assigned genera had relative abundances of 6.6% and 2.8% in total reads, even though with great variation between samples. Seven further GTD-related genera were present at a very low level. As various factors influence the successful transmission of GTD pathogens, we hypothesize that arthropods might irregularly act as direct vectors. Our results highlight the importance of minimizing and protecting pruning wounds in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Laboulbeniales are a group of lesser-known fungi. They occur as ectoparasites on the exoskeleton of various arthropod species, mainly beetles, cockroaches, ants, dipterans and a few millipede genera appearing as hairs/bristles coming out of their cuticle. They are small, non-mycelial fungi forming compact multicellular thalli, starting from a two-celled sheathed ascospore which continues to envelop the mature thallus. The fungi, being obligate, spend their entire life cycle on their insect hosts. The present study attempted to locate the Laboulbeniales fungi in the common insects of India, isolate them and identify them based on morphology. Different species of insects; Carabid beetles - Stenolophus sp., Bembidion sp., Black ants - Camponotus sp., and Earwigs - Labidura riparia; were collected from different habitats of damp garden soil, river banks, light sources and entomological collection museum situated as different sites New Delhi. The insects were scrutinized for the presence of fungi through light and scanning electron microscopy. The morphological features of each fungus were recorded, and the species were characterized. The studies showed the presence of Laboulbenia anaplogenii and L. stenolophi on the legs of Stenolophus sp.; L. egens on Bembidion sp. legs; L. camponoti on the wings of black ants and Dimeromyces anisolabis on the legs of earwigs. The identification was made primarily based on the size, shape and structure of basal foot, receptacles, antheridia and foot of the thallus or it's remnant scar found on the insect cuticle. This is the first Indian report of conducting scanning imaging of the Laboulbeniales fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The text includes several research briefs and updates in the field of entomology. One study focuses on the diversity of damselfly faecal bacterial assemblages. Another study examines the impact of introduced carrion-feeding flies on native species in the Galapagos Islands. A review explores the social behavior of earwigs and its implications for understanding the emergence of social life among insects. Additionally, there are articles on the evolution of a selfing syndrome in plants, the treatment of injured ants by their nestmates, and the bioinspired development of imaging sensors for UV detection. The text also mentions entomologists advocating for insect science on Capitol Hill and the establishment of a new pilot section within the Entomological Society of America. [Extracted from the article]

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The article discusses a project called "Museums in Miniature" that aims to bring entomology education to South Carolina classrooms. The project involves creating mini-museums filled with preserved insect specimens and educational materials, which are then distributed to schools and libraries across the state. The mini-museums provide students with hands-on learning experiences and help foster an appreciation for insects and biodiversity. The project was funded by the Entomological Society of America's Chrysalis Fund and the South Carolina Entomological Society, and it has been successful in engaging students and promoting science education. [Extracted from the article]

Regulation of insect pests by predators is an integral component of biological pest control. However, predator-prey interactions often reach a stable state leading to coexistence, which can be problematic for plant protection if the persisting herbivores exceed a damage threshold. Consequently, understanding the factors mediating this stability is crucial for successful biocontrol. Here, we investigated the predator-prey interaction of an important apple pest, the woolly apple aphid (WAA) (Eriosoma lanigerum Hausm.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), and its predator, the omnivorous common earwig (Forficula auricularia L.) (Dermaptera: Forficulidae). To this end, we introduced increasing densities of earwigs in gauze-bagged branches harbouring defined amounts of WAA and recorded predation on individual WAA colonies for almost one month. We showed that the spatial complexity of the predation environment and the earwig density determined the predation efficiency on WAAs. Earwigs could eradicate WAAs regardless of density on short apple branches without lateral twigs (first trial). However, on longer, more complex branches (second trial), stable states of WAAs and earwigs were observed. Only the highest earwig density could completely consume WAA regardless of branch complexity. We introduce a conceptual model to describe the searching capability of earwigs, which determines their efficiency in locating prey. Our model predicts that searching capability is reduced by environmental complexity; this effect is alleviated by increased earwig density, as more predators possess a higher searching capability. Conclusively, our model explains why only the highest earwig density could completely consume WAA irrespective of complexity and illustrates how predator density and environmental complexity jointly influence predation. Thus environmental characteristics not inherent to our predator-prey interaction were a decisive factor for effective predation on gauze-bagged branches. Based on these results, reducing tree complexity by pruning or augmenting earwig populations in orchards can increase biocontrol of the WAA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the collection of insects in the garden of the Bogatu-Român village, Sibiu county, where 11 Barber traps were installed, one in each crop (cherry, rose, redcurrant, aubergine, pepper, strawberry, raspberry, corn, potato and tomato) we reported the following Order of insects: Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Diptera, Dermaptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera. The traps were installed in May 2021 and 2022 traps operated from 2021 to September. Samples were taken during five months (May and September) in 2021 and 2022 from May to present when the crops were in full vegetation. Insects were collected from traps weekly over 20 trips during a growing season, preserved, labelled and determined using specialist determiners. A total of 338 specimens were collected, most of which from the maize crop totalling 76 specimens. Following the determinations and the analysis of the captured species, we can conclude that 73.4% of the captured insects belong to the useful entomofauna and the species that cause damage to agricultural crops represent 26.6% and are crop-specific pest species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to identify the useful and harmful fauna by collecting insects from a vegetable garden in the Păușești village, Valcea county, where 5 Barber traps were installed, one in each crop (onions, garlic, beans, peppers and potatoes). Following the determination and systematic classification, we reported the following orders of insects: Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Diptera, Dermaptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera. The traps were installed in May 2021 and in 2022 the 2021 traps ran until September. Samples were taken during five months (May and September) in 2021 and in 2022 from May to present when the crops were in full vegetation. Insects were collected from traps weekly during a growing season, preserved, labelled and determined using specialized determiners. A total of 275 specimens were collected, most species were caught from onion crops totalling 75 specimens. Following the determinations and the analysis of the captured species, we can conclude that 73.4% of the captured insects belonging to the useful entomofauna are the most numerous and the species that cause damage to agricultural crops represent 26.6% and are crop-specific pest species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Apples are among the most heavily treated fruits against pests. Finding new, more environmentally friendly solutions for pest control is essential. Biological control is one of these, and can involve the use of predatory insects to eliminate pests. The earwig is one such predatory insect. We set out to determine whether earwigs had developed resistance mechanisms to the molecules to which they are exposed in orchards. A single population of earwigs was sampled in three types of orchard (organic, conventional and integrated pest management) and compared with each other. Mutations and higher expression levels in genes known to confer resistance were identified. These results highlight the effect of pesticide use on beneficial organisms and the resulting effect on the biodiversity of natural enemies in orchards. To date, apple orchards are among the most treated crops in Europe with up to 35 chemical treatments per year. Combining control methods that reduce the number of pesticide treatments is essential for agriculture and more respectful of the environment, and the use of predatory insects such as earwigs may be valuable to achieve this goal. European earwigs, Forficula auricularia (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) are considered beneficial insects in apple orchards where they can feed on many pests like aphids. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential impact of orchards' insecticide treatments on resistance-associated molecular processes in natural populations of earwigs. Because very few molecular data are presently available on earwigs, our first goal was to identify earwig resistance-associated genes and potential mutations. Using earwigs from organic, integrated pest management or conventional orchards, we identified mutations in acetylcholinesterase 2, α1 and β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. In addition, the expression level of these targets and of some essential detoxification genes were monitored using RT-qPCR. Unexpectedly, earwigs collected in organic orchards showed the highest expression for acetylcholinesterase 2. Four cytochromes P450, one esterase and one glutathione S-transferases were over-expressed in earwigs exposed to various management strategies in orchards. This first study on resistance-associated genes in Forficula auricularia paves the way for future experimental studies aimed at better understanding the potential competition between natural enemies in apple orchards in order to optimize the efficiency of biocontrol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Biological control, which is the use of natural enemies to regulate crop pests, is considered a key aspect of integrated pest management. In pome fruit (apple and pear) crops of the northwestern United States, the European earwig Forficula auricularia (L.) sensu lato may provide a unique opportunity for augmentative biological control. While this generalist omnivore is a direct pest in stone fruit crops like cherries and peaches, it is a beneficial predator in apple and pear crops. In these crops, it feeds on two key pests, the woolly apple aphid and pear psylla, respectively, and rarely damages fruit. Here, we tested a two-way strategy to reduce fruit damage by removing earwigs from crops where they are pests and releasing earwigs into orchards where they can help control pest populations. We found that mass-trapping earwigs in stone fruit orchards did not significantly reduce earwig numbers or fruit injury; however, this was a relatively easy and practical method for collecting thousands of individuals for augmentative release in pome fruit orchards. Two mass releases (once annually) of earwigs helped control key pests in pears and apples, such as pear psylla and woolly apple aphids, by the second year. We did not find evidence of a reduction in other pests, such as mites and other aphid species. Finally, we found that earwig releases can be useful in establishing their populations in orchards where they are absent or rarely found, potentially providing increased pest control over multiple seasons. The European earwig Forficula auricularia (L.) (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) is an omnivorous insect that is considered a minor pest of stone fruit and a key predator of pests in pome fruit orchards. In many pome fruit orchards, earwigs are absent or in low abundance due to broad-spectrum spray programs and the slow recolonization rate of earwigs. Orchards in transition to organic or "selective" conventional programs often struggle to achieve effective levels of biological control, and thus, may benefit from inoculating earwigs to expedite their re-establishment. In a two-year study, we evaluated the potential for mass trapping earwigs from stone fruit using rolled cardboard traps to reduce fruit damage and provide earwigs for augmentation in pome fruit. We also tested whether a single mass release or five releases (on alternating weeks) of the same total number of earwigs in apples and pears reduced pests relative to plots where no releases occurred. Mass trapping did not decrease earwig abundance or substantially reduce fruit damage in stone fruit orchards. However, trapping was an efficient method for providing earwigs for augmentation. Earwig abundances were only increased in orchards where earwigs were previously low or absent; however, multiple orchards with varying prior levels of earwigs exhibited reductions in key pests (woolly apple aphid and pear psylla). For some other pests evaluated, plots with mass releases of earwigs had a slight trend in overall lower pest density when compared with control plots. A strategy for moving earwigs out of stone fruit orchards and into pome fruit orchards could be an effective method for augmenting orchard predator populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dermaptera is a polyneopteran order with > 2,000 described species from mainly tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate regions. More than 310 species of the Dermaptera belonging to nine families have been reported from the Indian subcontinent (India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka) as a result of the extensive work of Gyanendra Kumar Srivastava. Embracing environmental and climatic heterogeneity, the Indian subcontinent is an intersection of multiple faunal regions and includes several dermapteran groups of special interest. To restart the studies on the Dermaptera of this region, which has been stagnant for a decade, this paper includes a beginner's guide for collecting and identifying Dermaptera, together with a brief summary of recent advances in their classification and phylogeny. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many animals take advantage of the shaded, humid, and protected environments in subcortical spaces, i.e., thin spaces under the loosened bark of dead trees. Permanent inhabitants of subcortical spaces often show specialized morphologies, such as a miniaturized or dorsoventrally flattened body. However, the evolutionary consequences of these specialized morphologies on behavioral, ecological, and life-history traits have been little studied. We studied the mating biology and anatomy of Platylabia major (usually placed in the family Anisolabididae), which is an obligate inhabitant of subcortical spaces with a paper-like flattened body, and compared them with those of two thicker, spongiphorid earwigs, Nesogaster amoenus and Paralabellula curvicauda. Mating trials in various settings showed that Pl. major requires thin spaces sandwiched by two planes to accomplish genital coupling and insemination. In contrast, the thicker species, although also frequently found in subcortical spaces, could mate on a single horizontal plane due to the ability of the male to twist its abdomen through approximately 180°. Examination by micro-computed tomography and a reagent-based clearing technique revealed no substantive differences in the configuration of mid-abdominal musculature between the species. The dorsal and lateral muscles of Pl. major, which are almost parallel to the antero-posterior body axis for accommodation within the thin abdomen, seemed incapable of producing the power to twist the abdomen. The abdominal musculature conforms to a simple pattern in both male and female earwigs, which is repeated in each of the pregenital segments. We conclude that small differences in the range of motion of each abdominal segment can result in large differences in possible mating postures and positions. Surgical experiments also demonstrated that both right and left penises of Pl. major are competent and used for insemination with no lateral bias, as in most other earwigs with twin penises studied to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The woolly apple aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum) is a worldwide pest that causes damage to shoots, branches, trunks, and roots and reduces the capacity of apple trees to sprout and bloom. Even though this pest has a diverse guild of natural enemies, the parasitoid Aphelinus mali and the European earwig (Forficula auricularia) are the ones that have the most potential to regulate this pest. In our study we assessed the impact of earwig releases over time on woolly apple aphid populations. To do this, we released earwigs once per season in consecutive years and we compared woolly apple aphid abundance with respect to a control treatment (without earwig release). Overall, we found that earwig releases reduced the size of the colonies, but this effect was only evident from the second year onwards. These results highlighted the importance of considering time on augmentative biological control strategies. Nature-based solutions, such as biological control, can strongly contribute to reducing the use of plant protection products. In our study, we assessed the effect of augmentative releases of the European earwig (Forficula auricularia) to control the woolly apple aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum), a worldwide pest that causes serious damage to apple trees. The trials were carried out in two organic apple orchards located in Catalonia (NE Spain) from 2017 to 2020. Two treatments were compared: with vs. without earwig release. For the treatment, 30 earwigs per tree were released by means of a corrugated cardboard shelter. These releases were performed once per season and were repeated every year. We periodically assessed the length of the woolly apple aphid colonies, the number of colonies per tree, the percentage of aphids parasitized by Aphelinus mali, and the number of earwigs per shelter. Our results showed that earwig releases reduced the length of the colonies, but this effect was noticeable only for the second year onwards. Moreover, we found that those releases were compatible with A. mali. Overall, we demonstrated the positive impact of earwig releases on the woolly apple aphid control and the importance of considering time on augmentative biological control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ectoparasites like fleas, mites, and ticks that are key carriers of harmful pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, cestodes, and nematodes live on rodents and shrews. It should be noted that rodents' ecological adaptability makes them suitable as parasite hosts. The main objective of the study was to determine the ectoparasite assemblages in rodents and shrews along a degradation gradient, while comparing infestation levels in different habitats with varying levels of degradation. The study was conducted in Mabira Central Forest Reserve. Ectoparasites were collected following rodent and shrew removal trapping which was done using Sherman's traps set along transects of 200 meters in three habitat strata that included adjacent forest habitats, degraded forest edge, and regenerating forest interior. Data was collected intermittently with a break every two months for one year from November 2018 to December 2019. A total of 1411 rodents and shrews were collected, yielding a total of 5692 ectoparasites from 22 host species (17 rodents and 5 shrews). The most prevalent group of ectoparasites was mites followed by fleas, lice, ticks, and earwig. Ectoparasite prevalence significantly differed depending on hosts species (P = 0.001) and host age (P = 0.022), but not host sex (P = 0.78), while mean infestation significantly varied basing on host species (P = 0.001), host sex (P = 0.001), season (P = 0.001), and habitat (P = 0.001). Prevalence (P = 0.001) and mean infestation (P = 0.001) significantly varied across studied habitats. The study has emphasized the significance of Praomys jacksoni and Hylomyscus stella as significant hosts for mites and S. congicus as a significant host for fleas. Additionally, environment and host characteristics have a bearing on prevalence and infestation of ectoparasites with habitat degradation playing a significant role in the occurrence of ectoparasites, thereby emphasizing its contribution to zoonotic outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laboratory experiments were conducted to study the effect of three diets on some biological aspects when the black earwig, Chelisoches morio feeds on newly deposited eggs, and first larval instar of the cotton leaf worm, ground cat's dry food and newly deposited eggs of the red palm weevil. Results indicated that the eggs incubation periods of Ch. morio were 6.62, 7.33 and 9.00 days by rearing on the three diets, respectively. A single mated female deposited 95.62, 80.93 and 120.03 eggs per female by rearing on the three diets, respectively. The hatchability percentage among the deposited eggs reached 87.11, 88.22 and 86.11%, respectively. The longest duration was that of the 4th instars (24.7 days), when feeding took place on RPW eggs, while the shortest period was 7.2 days, for the first instar by feeding also on RPW egg. The sex-ratios of females (%) were 60, 56 and 64% females, respectively. The pre-oviposition period of the females was 30.69, 35.27 and 33.01 days, while the oviposition period was 67.54, 56.06 and 55.03 days, for the same treatment, respectively. The post-oviposition was 52.23, 31.00 and 46.00 days, respectively. Nymphs of the 4th instar fed on 329.8 eggs of RPW, being the highest voracious feeder as compared to the first three nymphal instars which consumed the means of 11.1, 65.9 and 166.0 individuals, respectively. The feeding capacity of adults was 1223.6 for males and 1357.4 for females indicating that females were more voracious than male. The study recommends feeding on RPW eggs in mass rearing of the black earwig for biological control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A checklist of onion insect pests is given herein with 149 species of eleven arthropod orders, viz., Coleoptera, Collembola, Dermaptera, Diptera, Orthoptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Thysanoptera and Lepidoptera and two of Acarina, such as Sarcoptiformes and Trombidiformes. This comprises 49 families of which 46 are insect and three of Acarina. Insect family, Noctuidae includes maximum genera (16), species (27) followed by the Aphididae (8), Agromyzidae (8), Thripidae (7), Anthomyiidae (6), Syrphidae (6), Acarididae (6), Pyralidae (5), Scarabaeidae (5), Tetranychidae (4), Muscidae (4), Fanniidae (4), Nitidulidae (3), Onychiuridae (3), Eriophyidae (2), and Simunthridae (1) are others observed. Diversity analysis revealed that foliage feeders are the dominant (69.1%) comprising of sucking pests (aphids and thrips), defoliators (cutworms and leaf eating caterpillars) and leaf miners. Bulb feeders account about 18.8% (flies, beetles, weevils, moths and mites), and root feeders represent 8.7%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dermaptera is a polyneopteran insect order that includes more than 2,000 described species, commonly known as earwigs, that mainly inhabit tropical, subtropical and warm temperate regions. Although 40 species have been found in Japan, their distribution and habitat preferences have remained ambiguous due to sample misidentification, particularly amongst immature specimens. To overcome this problem, we sequenced and analysed the DNA barcoding region of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene (cox1) of dermapteran species recorded from Japan. Including publicly available data, 72.5% of known Japanese dermapteran species were subjected to molecular identification. We extensively sampled three wingless species of subfamily Anisolabidinae (Anisolabididae): Anisolabis maritima, Anisolabella marginalis and Euborellia pallipes. Although these species exhibit similar habitat preferences as semi-synanthropes, A. maritima, a cosmopolitan species with the highest affinity to seashore, had significantly higher sequence diversity than the latter two species, which are considered endemic to East Asia. A similar trend was observed for (at least partly) winged cosmopolitan species of other families. Introgression with the congener Anisolabis seirokui is also suggested for A. maritima. Possible causes of the varying levels of sequence diversity are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interactions between earwigs and entomopathogens, such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), are still poorly understood. This study tested whether Bt-based bioinsecticides have any effect on the predation of Euborellia annulipes (Lucas) (Dermaptera: Anisolabididae) on Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), one of the pests with the largest number of cases of use and resistance to Bt. Fourth instar larvae were Bt infected by feeding on collard green leaves treated with Dipel®WG and XenTari®WG at the manufacturer-recommended doses. We used one no-choice condition, in which the predator had access to uninfected or Bt-infected larvae separately, and four free-choice conditions: uninfected vs Dipel®-infected larvae, uninfected vs XenTari®-infected larvae, Dipel®-infected vs XenTari®-infected larvae, and uninfected vs Bt-infected larvae with both bioinsecticides. Uninfected larvae were less consumed than those infected by both Bt-bioinsecticides in the no-choice condition. There was a higher consumption of uninfected over Dipel®-infected larvae in the free-choice condition. Overall, uninfected larvae were preferred over both Bt-based bioinsecticides infected larvae. We also used six different prey densities. The ringlegged earwig's predation rate enhanced as the prey population density increased, but the functional response was not affected by Bt-infection, being type II. The predator invested a low amount of handling time on Bt-fed prey and increased the maximum predation rate. Bt-based bioinsecticides cause effects on E. annulipes predation by altering their feeding preference and some aspects of its predatory behavior. The results of our study provide an important background for understanding interactions between earwigs and Bt. In addition, they can be used for decision making during approaches to integrated P. xylostella management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To characterize the prey composition of frogs inhabiting the Tottori Sand Dunes, we examined the stomach contents of 141 individuals of five species (Dryophytes japonicus, Rana japonica, Pelophylax nigromaculatus, Fejervarya kawamurai, and Lithobates catesbeianus). Stomach contents were obtained from 86 frogs. A total of 356 individuals of prey were obtained from 50 P. nigromaculatus. Species in the orders Coleoptera and Araneae were frequently observed in the diets of P. nigromaculatus, but the most common prey item was Labidura riparia in the order Dermaptera (Class Hexapoda); its numerical percentage and frequency of occurrence percentage were 26.7% and 74%, respectively. Labidura riparia was also the most common prey item in the diets of the other four frog species, although the sample sizes for the other species were small. These findings suggest that when P. nigromaculatus migrated to new habitats (e.g., coastal habitats in our study), the immigrant frogs may be able to change its diet in response to the change in available prey items in the habitats. The plastic prey consumption in response to variations in prey resources might be an important factor for its survival in new habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Algerian Nuthatch (Sitta ledanti), which is mentioned on the Red List of threatened species, is one of the first protected birds in Algeria. The species' populations are distributed with low numbers in Babors' Kabyliain northeastern Algeria. The diet composition of the species has been studied on a large scale in five large forests. The diet analysis method is based on the identification of the different prey items found in the fecal sacs of the nestlings. We divided the 89 identified prey into 81 insects, 7 arachnids and 1 gastropod, giving 88 arthropods and 1 mollusc. According to both the Cluster Dendrogram and the Costello graph, the Algerian Nuthatch becomes a specialist species while searching for prey to feed its nestlings. This supply of specific prey for nestlings has been observed in both evergreen (Atlas cedar or Algerian fir) and deciduous (Algerian or African oaks) forests. Only the relative abundances (RA) of each prey consumed, prey number per fecal sac, and prey diversity by forest type showed differences. The low proportion of gastropods found in the fecal sacs of Algerian Nuthatch nestlings may explain the low nutritional value of this prey or may also be due to its low abundance. The species' nestlings consumed a lot of European Earwig (Forficula auricularia) and White spotted rose beetle (Oxythyrea funesta) which could be due to their high energy intake and abundance in the area near the nests. Repeated fires and other anthropogenic activity constitute direct threats to the species' habitat, and its specialised diet on certain prey weakens the survival of this species with endangered conservation status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In this paper, two new genera with two new species of Dermaptera are described from the Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Formation of Daohugou, Inner Mongolia, China. The discovery of these two new species enriches the comparatively meagre fossil record of Dermaptera, particularly from the Middle Jurassic. The description of Applanatiforceps angustus is another brick laid in the foundation of protodiplatyid diversity, and the new genus Ekpagloderma gracilentum highlights the diversity of cercal forms among Aglyptodermatinae and the remarkable homogeneity of the general morphology of groups within this clade. Two new genera and species of Dermaptera are described from the Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Formation of Daohugou, Inner Mongolia, China: Applanatiforceps angustus gen. et sp. nov. in the archidermapteran family Protodiplatyidae, and Ekpagloderma gracilentum gen et sp. nov. in the eodermapteran family Semenoviolidae. Applanatiforceps shares the typical characters of the extinct suborder Archidermaptera (e.g., pentamerous meta tarsi, filiform and multimerous cerci) and externalized ovipositor. The family identity of the Protodiplatyidae can be further distinguished by comparing this new genus with other genera of the Protodiplatyidae. As a result of its large compound eyes, tegmina without venation, body sparsely setose, legs rather short and slender, and shape of the veinless tegmina, Ekpagloderma is classified in the subfamily Aglyptodermatinae. Ekpagloderma not only has the typical features of the Aglyptodermatinae, but also exhibits a more primitive slender segmented cerci, which is different from all other genera of Eodermaptera. In fact, the diversity of Eodermaptera as known today indicates some of the challenges in understanding the suborder and whether or not it is monophyletic as historically construed, or if the separation of Turanodermaptera is justified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orthopteroidea is an ecologically diverse group of incompletely transformed insects that includes several insect orders similar in development and structure. Many species from Dermaptera, Orthoptera, Mantodea, and Blattodea are sensitive to anthropogenic influences and are indicators of the external environment. Some species cause damage to agriculture and forestry; others are inhabitants of human dwellings and pests of food supplies. The aim of this study is to describe fauna of some orders of Orthopteroidea in the Republic of Mordovia, in the central part of European Russia. This study was conducted in April–October 1971, 1984, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, and 2004–2023. All possible habitats were studied using a variety of methods (entomological traps, pitfall traps, pan traps, etc.). An acoustic method of species identification was also used. For each observation, the coordinates of location, abundance, and dates were recorded. The dataset contains 4865 occurrences. In total, 16,644 specimens of Orthopteroidea were studied. The dataset contains 71 species including Dermaptera (4), Orthoptera (62), Mantodea (1), and Blattodea (4). Of these, 13 species are identified for the first time in the region; these mainly inhabit steppe areas. The presence of two Orthoptera species has not been confirmed yet during our studies; these species are noted in this paper according an old published paper. The biodiversity of Mordovia includes 73 species from four orders. The biology of numerous species, their seasonal dynamics, and some descriptions of biotopes and number of new species are described. Dataset:  https://doi.org/10.15468/cmr3yy. Dataset License: Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almost every animal trait is strongly associated with parasitic infection or the potential exposure to parasites. Despite this importance, one of the greatest challenges that researchers still face is to accurately determine the status and severity of the endoparasitic infection without killing and dissecting the host. Thus, the precise detection of infection with minimal handling of the individual will improve experimental designs in live animal research. Here, we quantified extracellular DNA from two species of endoparasitic worm that grow within the host body cavity, hairworms (phylum Nematomorpha) and mermithids (phylum Nematoda), from the frass of their insect host, a cave wētā (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae) and an earwig (Dermaptera: Forficulidae), respectively. Frass collection was done at two successive time periods, to test if parasitic growth correlated with relative DNA quantity in the frass. We developed and optimized two highly specific TaqMan assays, one for each parasite‐specific DNA amplification. We were able to detect infection prevalence with 100% accuracy in individuals identified as infected through post‐study dissections. An additional infection in earwigs was detected with the TaqMan assay alone, probably because some worms were either too small or degraded to observe during dissection. No difference in DNA quantity was detected between sampling periods, although future protocols could be refined to support such a trend. This study demonstrates that a noninvasive and minimally stressful method can be used to detect endoparasitic infection with greater accuracy than dissection alone, helping improve protocols for live animal studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The insect order Dermaptera is globally composed of approximately 2,000 species distributed over 245 genera and 16 families, of which approximately 285 species composed within 72 genera and 16 families are known from India until now. A recent examination of some unidentified Dermaptera species housed in the National Zoological Collection of the Zoological Survey of India revealed new state records for six Dermaptera species in India. All the six species are dealt herein with material examined, diagnostic characters, distribution, remarks, and photographs of adult male and female, penultimate sternite and ultimate tergite with forceps, and male genitalia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptic habitats are often overlooked in biodiversity surveys. Phytotelmata, or plant pools, are one type of cryptic habitat that supports diverse fauna in a miniature ecosystem. This study surveys the arthropod community of two types of phytotelmata, bracts and leaf rolls, on a single species, Calathea capitata (Ruiz and Pav.) Lindl. (Zingiberales: Marantaceae), from one Amazon site in Peru. Specimens were collected from eight bracts and eight leaf rolls. A total of 55 arthropods (36 adults, 19 juveniles) were found in both phytotelmata types. In the bract samples were found: spiders (Araneae: Corinnidae), beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae, Erotylidae, Staphylin-dae), flies (Diptera: Limoniidae), a leafhopper nymph (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), and unidentified larvae. In leaf roll samples were found: Leaf beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), an earwig (Dermaptera: Spongiforidae), flies (Diptera: Drosophilidae), and an adult leafhopper (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). A similar survey of Calathea lutea Schultes in Peru revealed a community dominated by Coleoptera in leaf rolls and Diptera in bracts, with a few Dermaptera and Hymenoptera, but no Araneae or Hemiptera. This study demonstrates that phytotelmata host diverse taxa and serve as a nursery to immature stages thus impacting the life cycles of local fauna, which in turn affect local biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), poses a threat to the food security of populations in sub-Saharan Africa because of its damage to maize crops. As alternative to the use of hazardous pesticides, microbial control is one of the most promising sustainable approaches adopted to limit the damages caused by S. frugiperda. The sampling targeted mainly larvae of S. frugiperda; however, during the survey, cadavers of earwig found on the same sampling sites were also collected and involved in the study. Cadavers of targeted insects, with and without sign of fungal infection, were sampled from 3 localities in eastern DR Congo. Culture of fungal isolates was performed in selective Sabouraud dextrose agar media. Results: Morphological study of fungal features such as conidia (shape and size) and conidiophores showed that the isolates were from the genus Beauveria. Conidial measurements were highly variable and ranged from 2.4 to 3.6 µm in length and from 1.75 to 3.0 µm in width. Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of the 2 Beauveria isolates based on DNA sequencing of ITS-5.8S region confirmed that both isolates belong to Beauveria bassiana. The 2 isolates of B. bassiana P5E (OP419735.1) and KA14 (OP419734.1) were isolated from cadavers of FAW and earwig, respectively. The alignment with different sequences of B. bassiana from different continent showed that P5E belonged to the same clade of previous isolates reported from Iran and Mexico, while KA14 was with the same clade as isolates from Kenya and China. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the occurrence of B. bassiana infecting FAW and earwig in eastern DR Congo and in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic pollution is steadily increasing and has a major impact on biodiversity. Chemical pollutants in particular affect many reproductive, physiological, and survival traits in a wide range of organisms. However, the effects on behavioral traits have been less studied, although they could have wide-ranging negative effects from the individual to the community level. Here, we attempted to fill this knowledge gap by investigating the effect of a common heavy metal pollutant, cadmium, on post-hatching maternal care and juvenile development in the European earwig Forficula auricularia. We fed 108 earwig families with five different cadmium concentrations (0, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 mg.L−1), and measured ten parameters related to offspring care, non-care maternal behaviors, investment in maternal care and two parameters of offspring development (offspring weight gain and survival). Somewhat surprisingly, we found no effect of cadmium ingestion on any of the parameters measured, except for maternal self-grooming behavior. In particular, the ingestion of cadmium by group members did not result in an overall decrease in the expression of care by the contaminated mothers or in an overall higher level of care received by the contaminated offspring. By contrast, mothers fed the highest dose of cadmium showed an increase in self-grooming, probably due to the stress of toxic ingestion. Overall, our study raises questions about whether and how parent–offspring interactions can alter the negative effects of contaminated environments in social species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New Dermaptera taxa (one new genus and four new species) are reported from amber pieces proceeding from Mina Los Pocitos near Simojovel de Allende, Chiapas. The amber pieces were collected in the lower Miocene Mazantic Shale, including well-preserved earwigs, with only one antecedent for this insect group in the Mexican amber. The presence of this kind of insects supports the paleoenvironmental interpretation for the Mazantic Shale amber as of a humid forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dominance in terms of entomofauna abundance in ecosystems is mainly due to the ecological functions they have. Insects are essential for the maintenance of agroecosystems as they interfere in the primary production of the crop. Conserving the abundance of beneficial entomofauna in agroecosystems is crucial for the stability of the habitat. This work was done to analyze the composition and structure of the insect community present in polycultures of organic vegetable crops in the southern region of Santa Catarina. The research was carried out at Chácara Koscrevic, located in the city of Laguna, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Six samples were taken in the summer of 2019/2020 and in the spring of 2020 using baited pitfall traps (sardines and honey) and randomly distributed by cultivation according to crop rotation. A total of 4,303 individuals were registered, distributed in eight orders, with Coleoptera and Hymenoptera being the most abundant. In terms of dominance, Coleoptera individuals prevailed in summer, totaling 1,106 individuals, and Hymenoptera in spring, with 628 individuals. The data indicate that the structure of the entomofauna can be affected by the climatic season. The fauna in summer is more diverse when compared to spring, following the characteristic pattern of insects. The edaphic attributes have significance in relation to fauna, that is, they interfere in its structure. The presence of beneficial insects was observed, such as specimens of Dermaptera, Staphylinidae and Megacephala (Tetracha) fulgida, contributing to the biological control of pests and the pollination of cultivated plants, demonstrating sustainability in organic crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brassica growers rely on insecticides to control the diamondback moth (DBM) Plutella xylostella (L.), resulting in cases of insecticide resistance and control failure. The ring-legged earwig Euborellia annulipes (Lucas) is found in brassica fields and may prey upon DBM eggs, larvae, and pupae. Therefore, preservation of E. annulipes in brassica crops could enhance DBM control, and may help with DBM insecticide resistance management. The insecticides azadirachtin, chlorantraniliprole, cyantraniliprole, deltamethrin, indoxacarb, methomyl, spinosad, and teflubenzuron were evaluated to assess mortality of E. annulipes adults and DBM larvae when exposed to insecticide dry residues, and predation rate upon DBM larvae and pupae. Euborellia annulipes exhibited survival >98% to all tested insecticides when exposed to label rates used on brassica crops against DBM. The highest mortality of DBM larvae confined on insecticide dry residue was 61% after 24 h exposure. This mortality significantly increased up to 92% when E. annulipes was present in the same period. Female of E. annulipes showed a preference for DBM larvae over pupae irrespective of ratio availability and insecticide combinations. When only larvae or pupae were available, up to nine larvae or four DBM pupae were consumed within 24 h. At the label rate for spraying brassica crops, all tested insecticides were compatible with E. annulipes and the predator added significant mortality to DBM larvae in the presence of insecticide residue. The findings reveal opportunities for integrating E. annulipes as a biological control agent into management programmes for DBM that cannot effectively rely on insecticides alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

This review summarizes which body parts have taste function in which insect taxa. Evidence of taste by mouthparts, antennae, and tarsi is widespread. Mouthparts that commonly have taste function are the labium, including the labella and labial palps, the maxillae, including the galeae and maxillary palps, the inner surface of the labrum or clypeolabrum of chewers, and inside the precibarium/cibarium of hemipterans, which have piercing-sucking mouthparts. Tasting with mandibles has not been found, and tasting with the hypopharynx is seldom reported. Use of the antennae appears uncommon among fly species, but common among species of lepidopterans, hymenopterans, beetles, and bugs. Although tasting with legs, especially tarsi, is reported mostly for fly and lepidopteran species, there is also evidence of it for multiple species of beetles, grasshoppers, and hemipterans, and one species of a roach, an ant, and a bee. Ovipositor taste function has been supported for some species of flies, lepidopterans, hymenopterans, orthopterans, and odonates. Taste by wings has been much less studied, but has been documented in a few fly species. Taste remains unstudied for any species or any body parts of Archaeognatha, Dermaptera, Mantodea, Mecoptera, Phasmatodea, Megaloptera, Neuroptera, Phthiraptera, Psocoptera, Siphonaptera, as well as Raphidioptera, Strepsiptera, Embioptera, Notoptera, and Zoraptera. Across holometabolous insects, larvae have not often been examined, the exception being some species of lepidopterans, flies, and beetles. Taste studies of antenna and legs are uncommon for even lepidopteran and beetle larvae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Italy plays a central role in the research on Europe's biogeography because of its position in the middle of the Mediterranean, which is a global hotspot of diversity. This study investigated how present patterns of earwig species richness and composition in Italy are affected by climatic, geographical, and historical factors. Earwig richness does not decrease from the base to the tip of the Italian peninsula, which contrasts with the so-called 'peninsula effect'. However, richness does not increase southward either, suggesting that southern regions did not play a crucial role as a refuge during Pleistocene glaciations. Inter-regional similarities in species composition between regions is more influenced by their geographical proximity than climatic similarity, although richness is positively correlated with precipitation, in accordance with earwig preferences for humid conditions. The similarity in species composition with central European fauna decreases southward, indicating possible exchanges between central Europe and Italy. The majority of the earwigs of the Italian fauna are either widespread across Europe and the Palearctic, or confined to the main Italian mountain ranges, that is, the Alps and the Apennines. The isolation of ancient earwig populations on mountains resulted in the development of a high proportion of endemics, making the Italian earwig fauna one of the richest in Europe. Placed in the center of the Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot, Italy plays a central role for the study of Europe's biogeography. In this paper, the influence of climatic, spatial, and historical factors on current patterns of variation in earwig species richness and composition is investigated. The Italian earwig fauna is mainly composed of species which are either widely distributed in Europe and the Palearctic region or that are endemic to the Alps and the Apennines. Variation in species richness does not follow any obvious geographical patterns, but a positive influence of precipitation on richness is consistent with earwig preferences for humid climates. European mainland territories did not contribute substantially to the current biodiversity of Italian earwigs, which explains the lack of a distinct peninsula effect, although a southward decrease in similarity with the central European fauna was observed. However, southern areas did not exert a pivotal role during Pleistocene glaciations in determining current patterns of species richness. Variation in species composition among Italian regions can be mostly explained by geographical proximity, while climatic differences and historical (paleogeographical and paleoecological) events seem to have played a minor role. However, the isolation of ancient earwig stocks on Italian mountains led to the origin of a relatively large number of endemics, which makes the Italian earwig fauna one of the richest in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]