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Earwigs (Forficula auricularia)Although earwigs are an important predator of some pests, they can cause damage to peaches and apricots by boring into ripening and over ripened fruit. Their feeding damage to soft fruit increases the risk of brown rot infection by wind or water-borne spores and by their suspected transfer of spores as they feed. They also found hide in bagged apples where they feed upon fruit damaged by eyespotted bud moth larvae. They feed at night, and during the day they hide in cracks and crevices and under leaves and twigs next to fruit. Rolled or crumpled newspaper tucked into limb crotches is useful to monitor earwigs. Place plastic bags over the newspaper to keep it dry. Removal of debris and weed growth from the base of trees will aid in earwig control.
Sprays such as Sevin applied to the trunk or Sevin baits provide protection for less than one day. Keep earwigs out of trees by wrapping a smooth part of the trunk with a 10-15 cm wide strip of duct or other adhesive tape and applying a 3-5 cm wide band of Tanglefoot or Stickum to the tape strip. Apply the sticky barrier before earwig activity is first noticed. Small boxes stuffed with crumpled paper or rolls of newspaper can be set on the ground to capture earwigs.
February 2004
Return to Tree Fruit Pests and Diseases
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