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7

Mull. confined, ate three mature earwigs in 14 days. M. C. Lane (Crumb, 1941), in an experiment, observed that Calosoma tepidum Lec. ate 26 earwigs in four days. E. A. Chapin (Crumb, 1941) tells of three species of Staphylinidae that fed on earwigs. These include Ocypus ater (Grav.), Staphylinus tarsalis Mann., and Philothus nitescens Hom. Crumb (1941) observed that the tiger beetle, Omus dejeani Reiche only attacks earwigs in confinement. He also tells of earwig remains being found in the feces of toads, snakes and a gallinaceous bird, probably the Chinese pheasant.

In 1918 Brindley indicated that capture by birds was only partially effective in controlling earwigs. B. B. Fulton at Corvalis, Oregon in 1922 suggested poison bait for controlling the European earwig using sodium fluoride as the active ingredient. The use of traps in controlling these insects is limited in effectiveness, according to Beall in 1932. Fleming and Baker (1932) gave evidence to prove that a hot water treatment of balled nursery stock infested with earwigs affords some control, if the treatment is handled properly so as not to injure the plants. Fumigation of balled nursery stock using a non-phytotoxic fumigant was suggested as a means of control by Steinweden in 1934. In the same year Mackie told of success with this method to control earwigs. Naphthalene proved to be the best repellent in experiments performed by Mackie in 1934. Knowlton reported that the fly parasite of the earwig, Bigonichaeta setipennis,was released in 1939 into some Salt Lake City and Davis County infested areas. It appeared that the larvae of this parasite had some local effect in reducing numbers of earwigs. He also stated in 1940 that traps alone are not reliable for satisfactory control of the earwig. He suggested spraying the trunks and larger limbs of infested trees with wettable DDT (five to ten per cent).