European Earwig in the Falklands: How Big is the Threat?

Funding bodies: Environmental Studies Budget through Falkland Islands Government, Seafish (Falklands) limited, Shackleton Scholarship Fund and University of Aberdeen

PhD affiliations: Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute , SAERI, Queen's University Belfast and University of Aberdeen

Project overview

First detected in the Falkland Islands (FI) in the 1990s, F. auricularia can now be found in large numbers in both the urban and wild environment. Earwigs are considered pests causing damage to garden horticulture, and regarded as a public nuisance, however the ecological impacts of this invasion have not been investigated. Considering its generalist feeding strategy and ability to occupy multiple ecological niches, which can negatively impact rare or sensitive native species, F. auricularia has the potential to significantly impact recipient communities and affect ecosystem functioning. This has resulted in F. auricularia becoming a species of concern for the Falkland Islands Government.

This study on the European earwig invasion in the Falkland Islands, made possible through the active participation of Falkland Islands residents, will assess the ecological impacts of this invasive species.

By investigating the threats to biodiversity, this research aims to enable policymakers, conservationists, and the public alike to prioritise effective measures that safeguard the Falkland Islands' natural heritage for future generations. We hope the findings will underscores the importance of proactive management strategies and community engagement in combating terrestrial island invasions.

Project Objectives

Investigate the extent, spread, and population dynamics of F. auricularia in the Falkland Islands.
Explore the invasion history of F. auricularia using molecular genomic methods.
Capture local public perceptions, knowledge, and opinions on F. auricularia invasion, control measures, and invasive species threats in general.
Investigate trophic relationships between F. auricularia and native fauna of the Falkland Islands
Assess the degree of success of previous bio-control efforts and provide recommendations for future control and management of F. auricularia.
Consider the possible threat of further southward expansion of F. auricularia to South Georgia and beyond.
Contribute to the biological inventory of soil invertebrate communities in the Falkland Islands.

STEPHEN GILLANDERS

Lead & Co Supervisors: John Baird, Colin McClure, Archie Murchie, Paul Brickle, Juliano Morimoto

Dates: 2023-2026

Stephen has worked for 10 years in conservation and has a background in invasion biology and restoration ecology. Stephen has been fortunate to have worked in many habitats and ecosystems around the world from the tropics (Brazil, Seychelles) to temperate regions (China, Portugal). Primarily a field ecologist with experience managing many conservation projects and restoration efforts, Stephen has worked in Environmental Policy and Planning for the past year before starting his PhD in 2023. He was attracted to this project in particular because of his love of fieldwork and working with invasive species, but also the opportunity to learn new techniques such as conservation genetics and community analysis.
Stephen’s is interested in understanding contemporary environmental problems framed with the perspective of our rapidly changing climatic and social value systems. He values the importance of considering cultural and socio-economic factors when addressing ecological issues and incorporating them into future-proof solutions. His passion for artistic and community engagement in environmental topics often offers unique opportunities for outreach and communication.

Year in Review: July 2022 - June 2023

I started my project in January 2023 and have spent the first 6 months reading the literature and composing my research plan including my hypotheses and experimental design
I have conducted some preliminary work on trap design for the earwigs and other invertebrate fauna.
I have been undergoing training in conservation genetics methods and some statistical analysis refresher courses.

Year in Review: July 2023 - June 2024

A novel approach to sampling earwig populations in the Falklands was developed due to the unique environmental conditions. Pitfall traps were identified as an effective method. To incorporate local knowledge and perceptions into management strategies, a comprehensive questionnaire-based investigation was conducted. The survey, designed to capture both quantitative and qualitative data, will inform targeted and community-oriented control measures and foster public engagement in invasive species management. The data is currently being collated and will be assessed and reported later this year. Key molecular research aims were identified to elucidate the invasion ecology of European earwigs in the Falklands. This includes determining the origin of earwig introduction, number of introductions and identifying subspecies present in the population. Methodologies for DNA extraction, PCR, and primer selection were developed and optimized. Engagement with the scientific community was prioritized through presentations at the Royal Entomological Society Conference and the QUB-AFBI Alliance conference. These opportunities not only facilitated knowledge exchange but also fostered collaborations and recognition within the scientific community.

Key highlights
There is great interest in cataloguing and understanding Falklands invertebrate biodiversity which is not completely known. We will add all the species we find to species lists, and contribute to the creation of a genetic library for future studies.
I have presented the project at 3 conferences this year:

Royal Entomological Society in Falmouth
QUB-AFBI Alliance in Belfast
British Ecololgical Society in Belfast

Key statistics

Almost 300 traps were set across over 25 locations distributed across sampling points on East Falklands, laying the groundwork for comprehensive population studies.
15-20 populations of earwigs sampled for molecular genetic analysis

Year in Review: July 2024 - June 2025

This year marked significant progress in the earwig invasion ecology project, with 14 months of fieldwork completed across East and West Falkland and four outer islands. Data collection on spatial and seasonal abundance has concluded, and analysis of native invertebrate communities is underway. Genetic sampling in Magellanic Patagonia was finalised, setting the stage for comparative analysis of invasion pathways. The public consultation survey achieved strong community engagement, enriching the social dimension of the research. Last year I presented the project at International Congress of Entomology. We look forward to update you next year with all of our final results!

Key highlights

Conducted one of the most extensive terrestrial invertebrate field surveys in the Falklands to date
We are keen to look at the ecological impact earwigs might have on native fauna. We have a very extensive collection that we can look to see which groups, if any, are most affected by presence of earwigs.
While not native, or desired, earwigs have become somewhat emblematic of the invertebrate fauna of Falklands, with most residents having strong opinions on them!
Finalised genetic sampling in southern Chile for cross-regional invasion history analysis - Who doesn’t want to know where earwigs came from

Key statistics

Processed >6000 invertebrate specimens, with several taxa likely first records for the Falklands
Almost 2000 earwigs collected
14 months of seasonal abundance and distribution data across 6 islands

European Earwig in the Falklands: How Big is the Threat?

STEPHEN GILLANDERS

SAERI

COMPANY

OTHER

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