Population dynamics of Euborellia annulipes (Dermaptera: Anisolabididae) in maize fields and its efficacy against Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

To evaluate the control potential of the ring-legged earwig Euborellia annulipes (Lucas) (Dermaptera: Anisolabididae) against the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), we quantified its population dynamics in maize fields, characterized predation responses under laboratory conditions, and evaluated its semi-field control performance in a field-cage experiment during the VT (tasseling) stage. The population of E. annulipes increased notably during the summer and showed a clear association with the reproductive phase of maize. Laboratory assays revealed that adults of both sexes exhibited a Type II functional response (high consumption at low prey densities followed by saturation) to early instars of S. frugiperda, and females displayed greater predatory capacity than males. Field-cage experiments further demonstrated that the presence of E. annulipes reduced early-instar survival and alleviated plant injury, whereas the earwig-only treatment showed no kernel damage and only occasional light silk feeding. These findings demonstrate that E. annulipes has strong potential as a biological control agent against early infestations of fall armyworm in maize and support its integration into IPM programs.