Arthropod contamination of red raspberry ( Rubus idaeus L.) harvested by machine in Scotland

et al. 2018

Preprint

BACKGROUND: By modelling species-environment relationships of pest species, it is possible to understand potential limits to their distributions when they invade new regions, and their likely continued spread. The European earwig, Forficula auricularia, is a non-native invasive species in Australia that has been in the country for over 170 years. However, in the last few decades it has invaded new areas. Unlike in other countries, F. auricularia is a pest species of grains production in Australia. In this study we detail the Australian distribution of this species, adding new samples focussed around grain growing regions. Using this information we build global species distribution models for F. auricularia to better understand speciesenvironment relationships. RESULTS:Our models indicated that the distribution of F. auricularia is strongly associated with temperate through to semi-arid environments, a high winter rainfall and pronounced temperature seasonality. We identified regions that hold suitable, but as yet vacant, niche space for Australian populations, suggesting further potential for range expansion. Beyond climate, an 1 index describing human influence on the landscape was important to understand the distribution limits of this pest. We identified regions where there was suitable climate space, but which F. auricularia has not occupied likely due to low levels of human impact. CONCLUSION:Modelling the global distribution of a non-native pest species aided understanding of the regional distribution limits within Australia and highlighted the usefulness of human impact measures for modelling globally invasive insect species.

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate, human influence, and the distribution limits of the invasive European earwig, Forficula auricularia, in Australia

Hill

et al. 2018

Preprint

“…Placing our findings in the context of recent Australian studies (Binns, Hoffmann, et al., 2021; Kirkland et al., 2020; Umina, 2019), there is growing evidence that F. auricularia poses risk to grain crops during germination in autumn and winter. Later in the season, it appears unlikely F. auricularia will feed on crops in an economically injurious way, although they can be a contaminant at harvest time (Gordon et al., 1997; Gu et al., 2007). In fact, our data suggest that from mid‐season onwards, F. auricularia should be considered a beneficial species, as they are in other agricultural systems (Buxton & Madge, 1976; Huth et al., 2009; Nicholas et al., 2005; Quarrell et al., 2017; Romeu‐Dalmau, Piñol, & Espadaler, 2012).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The dual role of earwigs (Dermaptera) in winter grain crops in Australia

2021

J Applied Entomology

Earwigs have been observed as an irregular pest of increasing concern to farmers growing canola and other winter grain crops in Australia over the past decade. In this study, we tested how abiotic and biotic factors influence the feeding behaviour of earwigs. Studies were conducted with two Australian native species, Labidura truncata and Nala lividipes, and the introduced European earwig, Forficula auricularia. We constructed field‐based exclusion plots that prevented F. auricularia from moving in or out of a small area of canola. We monitored F. auricularia activity and the feeding damage to canola plants throughout the winter growing season. In the laboratory, we established microcosms containing crop seedlings, as well as aphids as an alternate food source, to examine the feeding behaviour of all three species. The native earwigs L. truncata and N. lividipes did not cause feeding damage to canola or wheat but were found to actively consume aphids when present. We conclude that these species are unlikely to cause significant (economic levels) of pest damage in a field environment. In the microcosm trial, F. auricularia caused considerable damage to canola seedlings and readily consumed aphids. Forficula auricularia also caused feeding damage to canola seedlings early in the winter growing season in the field trial. However, by the end of the season, F. auricularia presence was associated with increased canola biomass. Furthermore, F. auricularia did not damage canola until all nearby aphids were consumed. Together, our field and laboratory studies suggest F. auricularia can be an important predator of aphid pests in canola, indicating a dual role of this species as both a pest and a beneficial species in winter grain systems.

“…Forficula auricularia has been common throughout south‐eastern Australia since the 1900s; despite only being first recorded in Western Australia 24 years ago, it is now common throughout south‐western parts of this state . Forficula auricularia is often found in disturbed locations and can be an important predator in apple, pear and kiwifruit orchards, but is regarded as a plant‐feeding pest in softer fruits such as stonefruit, and sometimes as a contaminant during harvest . In Australia, F. auricularia is a pest in grain crops, although internationally it is more typically considered a beneficial predator in grain systems .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…24 Forficula auricularia is often found in disturbed locations 23,25 and can be an important predator in apple, 26 pear 27 and kiwifruit 28 orchards, but is regarded as a plant-feeding pest in softer fruits such as stonefruit, 29 and sometimes as a contaminant during harvest. 30 In Australia, F. auricularia is a pest in grain crops, 31,32 although internationally it is more typically considered a beneficial predator in grain systems. [33][34][35][36] Forficula auricularia is generally found in locations with pronounced summer/winter seasonality.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate, human influence and the distribution limits of the invasive European earwig, Forficula auricularia, in Australia

Hill

Pest Management Science

et al. 2018