Earwig management tool: an IPM decision aid system for augmentation of European earwig populations (Dermaptera:...

A key element of integrated pest management (IPM) is the suppression of potential pest outbreaks by beneficial arthropods. The European earwig, Forficula auricularia L., is an important natural enemy of a wide range of insect pests in pip fruit orchards. However, earwig population sizes vary greatly from location to location, illustrating their sensitivity to biotic and abiotic factors, especially human interventions relating to orchard management. In order to help growers sparing and augmenting earwig populations in their pip fruit orchards, we developed a software tool that integrates a sophisticated earwig phenology model with management recommendations. The program is based on a day degree model for earwigs which is fed by temperature data collected by the pcfruit research centre. In addition, a pesticide database with known side effects of a wide range of products on the different life stages of earwigs is integrated in the system. The output gives the current status of the earwig population and management recommendations for activities critical for their survival. Hence, by consultation of this user-friendly software fruit growers can predict the earwig development in the field at any time, and organize the timing of orchard management actions taking into account the presence of (sensitive) life stages of the earwig life cycle. Doing so, negative effects specific orchard management actions, such as badly timed spray applications and soil tillage, can be avoided.