Chelisoches

Scudder, 1876

Chelisoches is a of in the , to the Pacific Islands. The genus name derives from Greek, meaning '-.' The most studied , C. morio (), has been to California and Florida and is recognized as an effective of agricultural pests including , , and . Research on C. morio has established laboratory rearing methods and documented complex parental care behaviors, including -tending and feeding assistance to hatchlings.

Chelisoches morio by (c) Damien Wallace, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Damien Wallace. Used under a CC-BY license.

Chelisoches morio 06328 by Vengolis. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Black earwig (Dermaptera) from Hawaii (8379166599) by gbohne from Berlin, Germany. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Chelisoches: /ˌkiːlɪˈsoʊkiːz/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Members of Chelisoches can be distinguished from other by their placement in the , characterized by specific genitalic and traits. C. morio is recognizable by its dark coloration and relatively large size among earwigs. Definitive identification to level requires examination of male and structure.

Images

Habitat

Dark, humid microhabitats; specifically observed in leaf axils and flowers of palm plants. occur in Pacific Island environments. of C. morio in California and Florida occupy similar sheltered, moist .

Distribution

to Pacific Islands including Cook Islands, Philippines, Malaysia, and tropical Queensland. C. morio specifically recorded from Southeast Asia (China, Malaysia, Philippines) and Pacific Islands; and established in California and Florida, USA.

Diet

Predatory. C. morio has been documented feeding on Tirathaba rufivena (first through fifth ), (Dysmicoccus neobrevipes), and larvae. Laboratory studies indicate consumption rates decrease with age: approximately 11 first-instar, 8 second-instar, 7 third-instar, 7 fourth-instar, and 6 fifth-instar T. rufivena larvae per day. Can be maintained on artificial diets including dog food and fish-based materials.

Host Associations

Tirathaba rufivena - Primary in studies; palm pest (: )
Dysmicoccus neobrevipes - used in laboratory rearing studies
Brontispa longissima - Reported in literature; palm pest (: Hispidae)
Rhynchophorus ferrugineus - and young reported in literature; palm pest (: )

Life Cycle

stage followed by four nymphal . Under laboratory conditions (26–29°C), egg incubation averages 7.5 days. Nymphal development totals approximately 58–84 days depending on diet: 70.7 days on , 57.2 days on mealybugs plus dog food, 61.6 days on dog food alone, or 84 days on T. rufivena with water supplementation. Individual instar durations: approximately 13, 11, 15, and 22 days respectively. longevity averages 59 days for males and 94 days for females under laboratory conditions with dietary supplementation.

Behavior

Exhibits prior to mating. Pairs mate 2–8 times consecutively; males can mate with up to six females. Females display elaborate parental care: they whisk with mouthparts, rearrange or transfer eggs when disturbed, and flip eggs to facilitate heating and incubation. Eggs separated from fail to hatch. Newly hatched have limited mobility and require adult feeding assistance via mouth-to-mouth transfer; they become self-feeding after the first . Adults prefer concealed, dark, humid locations and demonstrate hiding in leaf axils or flowers.

Ecological Role

of palm pest with significant potential as a agent. Effective against Tirathaba rufivena, with daily consumption rates sufficient for pest suppression. Proposed for use alongside in programs for palm . Laboratory mass rearing protocols have been developed to support field release programs.

Human Relevance

Used as a agent for agricultural pests, particularly in palm and coconut plantations. Mass rearing techniques have been developed to produce large numbers for field release. in California and Florida represent non- establishment with unknown ecological impacts.

Similar Taxa

ForficulaBoth are with -like , but Chelisoches belongs to while Forficula is in ; distinguished by and genitalic
EuborelliaAnother chelisochid ; -level identification and subtle morphological differences in male and structure required for separation

More Details

Etymology

name derived from Greek χηλη (chēlē, '' or '') and οχεω (ocheō, 'to carry'), referring to the prominent -like characteristic of .

Laboratory Rearing Notes

Successful mass rearing achieved using dog food, fish fry, or combinations with . Diet significantly affects development time: mealybug plus dog food yields shortest lifespan (52 days), while mealybug plus cornmeal yields longest (67 days). water supplementation extends longevity in laboratory settings.