2(3 



MONTANA EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 384 



earwig, Forficula auricularia L., was first reported from the State 

 when specimens were collected at Thompson Falls, (figure 8) . The 

 abundance of this pest when first discovered would indicate that 

 it had been present for some time previous to 1939. In 1940 an in- 

 festation was reported from Lewistown, with the note that these 

 insects had been present for at least six years in this area. 



The European earwig is an elongate, shiny brown insect, and 

 is easily identified by the large slender pinchers which are ap- 

 pended to the tip of the abdomen. It is primarily nocturnal in its 

 habits, hiding beneath bark, chips, and other debris during the day. 

 Our infestations undoubtedly came from the introduction of this 

 pest into Pacific ports some time ago. It is abundant in parts of 

 Washington, Oregon, California, and Idaho to the west. 



/ 



Figure 8. 



times. 



European earwig. Male on left, female on right. Enlarged 5 



This insect may be best controlled by the use of poisoned bait. 

 The bait recommended by the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Sta- 

 tion, which has worked satisfactorily, consists of 



