Predation of Doru luteipes and D. lineare (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) on Rhopalosiphum maidis (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in laboratory conditions

Abstract

Corn [Zea mays (L.)] is one of the most important crops in Argentina. The corn aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch.), is a pest that causes direct damage and is a vector of different diseases. The earwigs Doru lineare and D. luteipes are omnivores that can behave like predators. The aim of this paper was to verify the performance of these Dermaptera as predators of the corn aphid, measuring its consumption rates in laboratory conditions. The two species consumed both nymphs and adults of the aphids. Their consumption rates were similar and showed no significant differences, with a mean of 21.7 and 21.9 specimens/15’ for D. luteipes and D. lineare , respectively. When this was analyzed for each species, discriminating by sex, males preyed upon these aphids significantly more than females. Laboratory results on the predatory activities of these Dermaptera encourage making field studies to verify its incidence on the aphid populations. Thus, its status as beneficial insects could be confirmed.