About Earwig

Earwigs are important in some parts of southern India, particularly in clay soils. The adults can easily be recognized by their unique forked abdominal tip. Their eggs (Fig.) are laid in clusters of 20-100, usually in the soil, and sometimes inside damaged pods.

Crop Damage

Both nymphs and adults bore into tender developing pods and feed on the seeds. Infested pods are prone to fungal infection.

Management

This pest appears around pod formation phase.
In areas where this pest is serious, application of soil insecticides such as Carbofuran or Chlorpyriphos at 1 kg a.i./ha could help in reducing the damage to the crop.
Irrigating the fields after the application of the above soil insecticides will provide better protection.