How to Manage Pests
UC Pest Management Guidelines
Cherry
European Earwig
Scientific Name: Forficula auricularia
(Reviewed 4/06,
updated 4/06)
In this Guideline:
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Earwigs are about 0.5 inch long, shiny brown, and have a pair of
forcept-like structures at the back end of the abdomen. They are nocturnal and
their presence or damage may go unnoticed until harvest. There are two
generations per year.
Earwigs feed on fruit and foliage. Foliage feeding is of little
concern in mature trees. However, shoot-tip feeding on young trees may stunt
normal growth. Earwig feeding on fruit results in shallow, irregular holes.
Management requires the removal of daytime harboring sites and
prevention of access to fruit before it ripens.
Cultural Control
Remove weeds from around the base of trees. Keep orchard clear of
prunings, loose bark, or other debris under which earwigs may nest. Remove tree
limbs that come in contact with soil to prevent alternate access to trees.
Earwigs can be trapped
by using Tanglefoot or a similar material applied to the trunk of the tree to
prevent their crawling up. Before emergence of the nymphs, wrap the trunk
tightly with plastic wrap so that the insects can't crawl beneath the wrap.
Apply the Tanglefoot to the plastic wrap, not the tree, as it can soften bark.
Remove these bands before winter.
Organically
Acceptable Methods
Cultural controls are acceptable for use on organically grown apricots.
Monitoring and Treatment Decisions
Place boards or rolled-up newspapers in the orchard in early spring and monitor
weekly for earwigs that hide under the boards or in newspapers. Treat at the
beginning of spring activity when earwigs are found.
| Common name |
Amount to Use** |
P.H.I.+ |
| (trade name) |
(conc.) |
(dilute) |
(days) |
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| When choosing a
pesticide, consider information relating to impact
on natural enemies and honey bees and environmental impact.
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| A. |
CARBARYL |
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(Sevin)* XLR PLUS |
4 qt |
1 qt |
1 |
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MODE OF ACTION: A
carbamate (Group 1A)1 insecticide.
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COMMENTS: Sprays most
commonly used in very large, older blocks where baiting is difficult. Spray
on trunks and crotches of trees at the beginning of spring activity. Once
high populations are found in trees such an application will no longer be
effective and a foliar spray is necessary. Do not apply more than 14 qt XLR
PLUS/acre/season. The XLR PLUS formulation is less hazardous to honey bees
than other formulations if applied from late evening to early morning when bees are not foraging. |
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UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Cherry
UC ANR Publication 3440
Insects and Mites
R. A. Van Steenwyk, Insect Biology, UC Berkeley
K. M. Daane, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
J. A. Grant, UC Cooperative Extension, San Joaquin County
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