A recent study published in the Journal of Economic Entomology evaluated the use of insecticide-infused hydrogel baits for managing European earwig in California citrus orchards. The work, titled “Efficacy of insecticide-infused hydrogel baits in managing European earwig in citrus” , represents one of the more applied evaluations of bait-based delivery systems in subtropical tree fruit systems, particularly under California citrus conditions.
The European earwig in California citrus production can be viewed as both a potential beneficial predator and, under certain conditions, a direct pest. While earwigs can contribute to suppression of some soft-bodied pests, increasing reports of rind scarring and feeding injury on young fruit have raised concerns in orchards where populations build to high levels. This is especially relevant in fresh-market citrus systems where even minor surface damage can reduce fruit grade and market value [2]. Moreover, earwigs are damaging to young orchards as new growth provides continuous food sources and tree wraps or sleeves used to protect young citrus trees from sunburn and heat stress can provide a perfect habitat for earwigs. A recent study evaluated an alternative approach to earwig management using insecticide-infused hydrogel baits under both laboratory and field conditions in citrus orchards.
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