The potential of the predatory earwigs Labidura riparia (Pallas) and Euborellia annulipes (Lucas) (Dermaptera) as biological control agents of house fly was assessed. Host preferences and effects of feeding depth were evaluated. The results indicated that both earwig species preferred house fly larvae rather than pupae. Host preference experiments indicated that L. riparia and E. annulipes preferred first larval instar followed by second and third larval instars, respectively. Feeding depth studies from 0 – 20 cm in cattle manure found that E. annulipes consumed more larvae than L. riparia and that more larvae were consumed at a depth of 0 – 5 cm than at 10 – 20 cm below. In summary, two species of earwigs have the potential for controlling immature stages of house fly in the livestock.
