Information on nutrition and stational distribution of Forficula vicaria Semenov, 1902 (Dermaptera, Forficulidae) in agrocenoses in the south of the Primorsky Territory

Abstract

Species of Forficulidae (Dermaptera) are insects with a wide trophic spectrum, using living and dead plant and animal material in their diet. There is still uncertainty about the status of many species that may be pests in some agrocenoses and predators in others. The purpose of the study is to generalize and analyze data on the nutrition and stationary distribution of Forficula (F.) vicaria Semenov, 1902 in agrocenoses of the south of the Primorsky Territory. Field research was carried out from early April to late October 2020–2024. When studying food objects, they opened up the fruits of garden, berry and vegetable crops, identified traces of damage and feeding, and laid out bait on the soil. Visual inspection and shaking off trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants were used and possible places of refuge for earwigs were examined. To clarify the trophic relationships of larvae and adults of F. vicaria, one specimen of each of the collected insects was kept in Petri dishes, and photographs of the objects were taken. For the first time, we have determined the stationary distribution of this species in the study area. Studies of the food preferences of F. vicaria have shown that with a low population size, the damage caused to agricultural crops is minimal, and in the Russian Far East, the earwig is involved in the destruction of plant pests. However, one should monitor the abundance of the species in agrocenoses, since during the period of fruit ripening and harvesting, adults are active phytophages and consume fruits and berries, and plant leaves. From late August to mid-September, during the period of reproductive activity, the fruits of vegetable crops are used as feeding and breeding stations for adults. If it is necessary to regulate the population size of F. vicaria in agrocenoses, this work can be carried out in shelters for larvae of I–III instars and wintering nests.