Phenology and Food Preferences of Labidura truncata Kirby (Dermaptera: Labiduridae) in Western Victoria

Abstract

The native earwig Labidura truncata was relatively abundant in pitfall traps at a site in cropping land in the Wimmera region of Victoria. It was an important predator and attacked a range of soft‐bodied insects, including pest species. Weekly pitfall‐trapping from April 1993 to March 1994 yielded the greatest numbers between November and February when both juveniles and adults were present. Peak numbers of winged adults were obtained in November and December, with initially greater numbers of males than females. Copyright © 1995, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved