Post-doctoral Fellowship - When are earwigs pests and when are they beneficial?

Earwigs are important insects for the breakdown and recycling of organs matter but in some circumstances are thought to cause significant crop damage. This investment will study the feeding behaviour of European earwigs under different soil moistures, stubble loads and in the presence of alternative food such as other invertebrates. The results will be used to determine which (if any) of the native earwig species will attack grain crops and examine the effects of insecticide seed treatments.