THE PREDACEOUS EFFICIENCY OF Labidura riparia PALLAS REARED ON RED PALM WEEVIL, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (OLIVIER), IMMATURE STAGES (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE)

Laboratory experiments were carried out in order to evaluate the predaceous efficiency of the earwig, Labidura riparia Pallas against the red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus immature stages. Obtained results showed that the 6th nymphal instar of L. riparia was the most predacious stage on all RPW immature stages. However, the 1st nymphal stage of L. riparia had the least predacious rate on all RPW immature stages. In addition, results showed that all immature stages of RPW were preferred for consumption by the earwig nymphs. The rate of consumption of immature stages of the RPW was increased by the age of the nymphal stage. Results showed that the 6th instar nymphs had the longest feeding duration upon all immature stages of RPW. Finally, the earwig, L. riparia, can be considered as a promising natural enemy to minimize the red palm weevil population density.