Morphological description and predatory potential of two Chelisoches species of earwigs on arecanut inflorescence caterpillar, Thirathaba sp. from South India

Abstract

Earwigs (Dermaptera) are omnivorous insects distributed worldwide. Their ecological role in agricultural cropping ecosystem is not fully understood. The present study explores the ecological role of two black earwig species in arecanutecosystem. In the present study, two species of earwigs were collected and found predating on arecanut inflorescence caterpillar, Thirathaba sp. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) for the first time from India. Further, survey was conducted in the major arecanut growing regions of Karnataka from 2021-23 to explore the diversity of earwigs. Results revealed the occurrence of two black earwig species viz., Chelisoches brevipennis and C. morio (Chelisochidae). Among them C. brevipennis is a new record from south India. The species were morphologically identified and an illustrated identification key to both the species was provided. Further study confirmed the predatory role of earwigs on arecanut inflorescence caterpillar implying a significant potential for use in biocontrol. The current study reported two species of earwigs C. brevipennis and C. morio from arecanut ecosystems which were observed as efficient predators on arecanut inflorescence caterpillar.