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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research communications

Vol. 13 No. sp2 (2026): Recent Advances in Agriculture

A new frontier in mycophagy: Forficula auricularia on Podosphaera fusca

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.12582
Submitted
4 November 2025
Published
20-04-2026

Abstract

Powdery mildew, caused by the fungus Podosphaera fusca, poses a significant threat to global cucurbit cultivation. This report presents a noteworthy observation with potential implications for managing the prevalent biotic stress in cucumber crops. Our research unveils the active feeding behaviour of the earwig species Forficula auricularia on P. fusca, highlighting its potential as a promising natural biocontrol agent. Molecular identification techniques, resulting in accession number OQ102947, unequivocally confirmed the species as F. auricularia. While this discovery is promising, further studies are crucial to evaluate the biological control efficiency of F. auricularia against P. fusca in cucurbit crops.

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