Scientific name: Euborellia stali (Dohrn)

Common name: Earwig

Adult earwig Euborellia stali (Dohrn)

Taxonomy:

Economic importance

Generalist predator.

Hosts

Leaffolder and stem borer larvae.

Description

Euborellia stali is a shiny black earwig with sclerotized tegmina. It has white bands between the abdominal segments. Two antennal segments located near the tip are white.

Earwigs have a hind pair of forceps-like cerci. These are used more for defense than for capturing prey.

Biology and ecology

Earwigs are common in dryland habitats. They rest in the soil at the base of rice hills and are nocturnal.

A female earwig can lay 200-350 eggs in 3-5 months. It preys on stem borer larvae by entering the borer tunnel and climbs the rice plant to prey on leaffolder larvae. It can consume 20-30 prey daily.

Selected reference

Shepard BM, Barrion AT, Litsinger JA. 1987. Helpful insects, spiders, and pathogens. Manila (Philippines): International Rice Research Institute. 127 p.