Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Identification of the putative aggregation pheromone components emitted by the European earwig, Forficula auricularia

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Chemoecology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The European earwig, Forficula auricularia is an invasive insect found in many temperate regions of the world and is regarded as an urban and agricultural pest of numerous crops. Several studies have shown that F. auricularia aggregate in large numbers with the use of an aggregation pheromone. However, the identity of compounds which constitute the pheromone remains elusive. Our aim was to isolate and identify the aggregation pheromone used by F. auricularia using both solvent washes of individuals and thermal desorption of substrates exposed to earwigs. Solvent washes of male, female and juvenile earwigs isolated 51 different branched and unbranched alkanes, alkenes and alkadienes. Substrates exposed to aggregating field populations in situ were demonstrated to be attractive to earwigs after less than 24 h of exposure. Analysis of these substrates using thermal desorption and solvent washes showed that hydrocarbons were the only detectable compounds laid down by earwigs on these surfaces. Significant behavioural responses were observed to synthetic blends of the unsaturated hydrocarbons containing (Z)-7-tricosene, (Z)-9-tricosene, (Z)-7-pentacosene and (Z)-9-pentacosene at ≥25 insect equivalents in field-based bioassays. However, behavioural responses to these blends proved inconsistent particularly later in the field season, possibly due to a missing component within the pheromone blend or plasticity in the pheromones production and response.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Barth RH (1965) Insect mating behaviour: endocrine control of a chemical communication system. Science 149:882–883

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blomquist GJ, Vogt RG (2003) Biosynthesis and detection of pheromones and plant volatiles—Introduction and overview. In: Blomquist GJ, Vogt RG (eds) Insect pheromone biochemistry and molecular biology. Elsevier Academic, London, pp 3–18

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Boos S, Roellin L, Wong JWY, Koelliker M (2015) Maternal transfer of cuticular hydrocarbons? Evidence from between-species cross-fostering experiments in earwigs. J Insect Behav 28:280–287. doi:10.1007/s10905-015-9500-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cardé RT, Elkington JS (1984) Field trapping with attractants: methods and interpretation. In: Hummel HE, Miller TA (eds) Techniques in pheromone research. Springer, New York, pp 111–130. doi:10.1007/978-1-4612-5220-7

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Carlson DA, Roan CS, Yost RA, Hector J (1989) Dimethyl disulfide derivatives of long-chain alkenes, alkadienes and alkatrienes for gas-chromotography mass-spectrometry. Anal Chem 61:1564–1571. doi:10.1021/ac00189a019

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carlson DA, Bernier UR, Sutton BD (1998) Elution patterns from capillary GC for methyl-branched alkanes. J Chem Ecol 24:1845–1865. doi:10.1023/a:1022311701355

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chant DA, McLeod JH (1952) Effects of certain climatic factors on the daily abundance of the European earwig, Forficula auricularia L. (Dermaptera: Forficulidae), in Vancouver. Br Columbia Can Entomol 84:174–180. doi:10.4039/Ent84174-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Conner WE, Eisner T, Vandermeer RK, Guerrero A, Ghiringelli D, Meinwald J (1980) Sex attractant of an Arctiid moth (Utetheisa ornatrix): a pulsed chemical signal. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 7:55–63. doi:10.1007/bf00302519

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dijkstra AJ, Segers JC (2007) Occurrence and characterisation of oils and fats. In: Gunstone F, Harwood J, Dijkstra A (eds) The lipid handbook, 3rd edn. CRC, Boca Raton, pp 37–142

    Google Scholar 

  • Doolittle RE, Proveaux AT, Alborn HT, Heath RR (1995) Quadrupole storage mass spectrometry of mono- and dimethylalkanes. J Chem Ecol 21:1677–1695. doi:10.1007/bf02033669

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ferveur JF, Cobb M (2010) Behavioural and evolutionary roles of cuticular hydrocarbons in Diptera. In: Blomquist GJ, Bagnères AG (eds) Insect hydrocarbons: biology, biochemistry and chemical ecology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 325–343

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Fulton BB (1924) The European earwig Oregon Agricultural College Experimental Station. Bulletin 207:1–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Gemeno C, Schal C (2004) Sex pheromones of cockroaches. In: Carde RT, Millar JG (eds) Advances in insect chemical ecology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 179–247

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Gobin B, Peusens G, Moerkens R, Leirs H (2008) Understanding earwig phenology in top fruit orchards. In: Paper presented at the Proceedings 13th International Ecofruit Conference, Weinsberg, Germany

  • Gordon SC, Cormack MR, Hackett CA (1997) Arthropod contamination of red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) harvested by machine in Scotland. J Hortic Sci 72:677–685

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hehar G (2007) Pheromonal communication of European earwigs, Forficula auricularia L. (Dermaptera: Forficulidae). Masters Dissertation, Simon Fraser University

  • Hehar G, Gries R, Gries G (2008) Re-analysis of pheromone-mediated aggregation behaviour of European earwigs. Can Entomol 140:674–681. doi:10.4039/n08-026

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Helsen H, Vaal F, Blommers L (1998) Phenology of the common earwig Forficula auricularia L. (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) in an apple orchard. Int J Pest Manag 44:75–79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hothorn T, Hornik K, Zeileis A (2006) Unbiased recursive partitioning: a conditional inference framework. J Comput Graph Stat 15:651–674. doi:10.1198/106186006X133933

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Katritzky AR, Chen K, Maran U, Carlson DA (2000) QSPR correlation and predictions of GC retention indexes for methyl-branched hydrocarbons produced by insects. Anal Chem 72:101–109. doi:10.1021/ac990800w

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kehrli P, Karp J, Burdet JP, Deneulin P, Danthe E, Lorenzini F, Linder C (2012) Impact of processed earwigs and their faeces on the aroma and taste of ‘Chasselas’ and ‘Pinot Noir’ wines. Vitis 51:87–93

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kölliker M (2007) Benefits and costs of earwig (Forficula auricularia) family life. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 61:1489–1497

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kroiss J, Svatos A, Kaltenpoth M (2011) Rapid identification of insect cuticular hydrocarbons using gas chromatography-ion-trap mass spectrometry. J Chem Ecol 37:420–427. doi:10.1007/s10886-011-9933-4

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lamb RJ, Wellington WG (1975) Life history and population characteristics of the European earwig, Forficula auricularia (Dermaptera: Forficulidae), at Vancouver. Br Columbia Can Entomol 107:819–824

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lihoreau M, Rivault C (2009) Kin recognition via cuticular hydrocarbons shapes cockroach social life. Behav Ecol 20:46–53. doi:10.1093/beheco/arn113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu Z (1991) Le groupement familial chez Forficula auricularia L. (Insecte, Dermaptère): étude causale et fonctionnelle. PhD Dissertation, Université de Rennes I

  • Lordan J, Alegre S, Blanco R, Sarasua MJ, Alins G (2014) Aggregation behavior in the European earwig: response to impregnated shelters. Crop Prot 65:71–76. doi:10.1016/j.cropro.2014.07.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin SJ, Drijfhout FP (2009) How reliable is the analysis of complex cuticular hydrocarbon profiles by multivariate statistical methods? J Chem Ecol 35:375–382. doi:10.1007/s10886-009-9610-z

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mas F, Kölliker M (2011) An offspring signal of quality affects the timing of future parental reproduction. Biol Lett 7:352–354. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2010.1094

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Mas F, Haynes KF, Kölliker M (2009) A chemical signal of offspring quality affects maternal care in a social insect. Proc R Soc B Biol Sci 276:2847–2853. doi:10.1098/rspb.2009.0498

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Millar JG (2000) Polyene hydrocarbons and epoxides: a second major class of Lepidopteran sex attractant pheromones. Annu Rev Entomol 45:575–604. doi:10.1146/annurev.ento.45.1.575

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moerkens R, Leirs H, Peusens G, Gobin B (2009) Are populations of European earwigs, Forficula auricularia, density dependent? Entomol Exp Appl 130:198–206. doi:10.1111/j.1570-7458.2008.00808.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moore AJ, Reanan NL, Haynes KF (1995) Conditional signalling strategies: effects of ontogeny, social experience and social status on the pheromonal signal of male cockroaches. Anim Behav 50:191–202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nicholas A, Thwaite W, Spooner-Hart R (1999) Arthropod abundance in an Australian apple orchard under mating disruption and supplementary insecticide treatments for codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Aust J Entomol 38:23–29. doi:10.1046/j.1440-6055.1999.00073.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Quarrell SR (2013) The chemical ecology, genetics and impact of the European earwig in apple and cherry orchards. PhD Dissertation, University of Tasmania

  • Rankin SM, Chambers J, Edwards JP (1997) Juvenile hormone in earwigs: Roles in oogenesis, mating and maternal behaviours. Arch Insect Biochem Physiol 35:427–442. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1520-6327(1997)35:4<427::AID-ARCH6>3.0.CO;2-O

  • Sauphanor B (1992) Une phéromone d’agrégation chez Forficula auricularia. Entomol Exp Appl 62:285–291. doi:10.1007/BF00983805

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sauphanor B, Sureau F (1993) Aggregation behaviour and interspecific relationships in Dermaptera. Oecologia 96:360–364

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schal C, Fan Y, Blomquist GJ (2003) Regulation of pheromone biosynthesis, transport, and emission in cockroaches. In: Blomquist GJ, Vogt H (eds) Insect pheromone biochemistry and molecular biology. Elsiever Academic, London, pp 283–322

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Schildknecht H, Weis K (1960) Zur Kenntnis des Pygidialdrusen-Sekretes vom gemeinen Ohrwurm, Forficula auricularia. Z Naturforsch 15:755–757

    Google Scholar 

  • Strobl C, Malley J, Tutz G (2009) An introduction to recursive partitioning: rationale, application, and characteristics of classification and regression trees, bagging, and random forests. Psychol Methods 14:323–348. doi:10.1037/a0016973

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Suckling DM, Burnip GM, Hackett J, Daly JC (2006) Frass sampling and baiting indicate European earwig (Forficula auricularia) foraging in orchards. J Appl Entomol 130:263–267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Takacs S, Gries G (2001) Communication ecology of webbing clothes moth: evidence for male-produced aggregation signal(s). Can Entomol 133:725–727. doi:10.1023/A:1010497922448

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker KA, Fell RD (2001) Courtship roles of male and female European earwigs, Forficula auricularia L. (Dermaptera: Forficulidae), and sexual use of forceps. J Insect Behav 14:1–17. doi:10.1023/A:1007843227591

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker KA, Jones TH, Fell RD (1993) Pheromonal basis of aggregation in European earwig, Forficula auricalaria L. (Dermaptera: Forficulidae). J Chem Ecol 19:2029–2038. doi:10.1007/BF00983805

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Walker PW et al (2009) Identification, synthesis and field testing of (3Z,6Z,9Z)-3,6,9-Henicosatriene, a second bioactive component of the sex pheromone of the Autumn Gum Moth, Mnesampela privata. J Chem Ecol 35:1411–1422. doi:10.1007/s10886-009-9717-2

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wirth T, Le Guellec R, Vancassel M, Veuille M (1998) Molecular and reproductive characterization of sibling species in the European earwig (Forficula auricularia). Evolution 52:260–265. doi:10.2307/2410942

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We wish to thank Andrew Smith for the use of his apple and cherry orchard. We also acknowledge Nicole Quarrell for her assistance in field data collection. This research was possible due to funding from Horticulture Australia Limited (research grant MT 09006) with the industry levies from Cherries Australia Inc. and Apple and Pear Australia Ltd. and matched funds from the Australian Government.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Land and Food/Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 98, Hobart, 7001, Australia

    Stephen R. Quarrell, Paul W. Walker, Ross Corkrey & Geoff R. Allen

  2. Central Science Laboratory, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 74, Hobart, 7001, Australia

    Noel W. Davies

  3. School of Physical Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 75, Hobart, 7001, Australia

    Jason A. Smith

Authors
  1. Stephen R. Quarrell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Noel W. Davies
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Paul W. Walker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ross Corkrey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jason A. Smith
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Geoff R. Allen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stephen R. Quarrell.

Additional information

Handling Editor: Günther Raspotnig.

Electronic supplementary material

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Quarrell, S.R., Davies, N.W., Walker, P.W. et al. Identification of the putative aggregation pheromone components emitted by the European earwig, Forficula auricularia . Chemoecology 26, 173–186 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00049-016-0216-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00049-016-0216-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation