Notes on the Parasitism and Food Habits of the European Earwig, Forficula auricularia L. (Dermaptera: Forficulidae)

Abstract

In 1936, 1937, and 1938 several colonies of Bigonicheta setipennis (Fall.), a dipterous parasite, were liberated in Vancouver, British Columbia, to aid in the control of the European earwig, Forficula auricularia L. During September and October, 1950, an investigation was initiated to determine the abundance and distribution of this parasite and, if possible, to obtain colonies for release in Newfoundland. Approximately 6,000 of B. setipennis were reared from 50,000 trapped earwigs.