Family LABIDURIDAE

Labiduridae

© Copyright T. Nolan. CSIRO Entomology.

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Introduction

The Labiduridae are a cosmopolitan family comprising three subfamilies, seven genera and 71 species (Steinmann 1989).

In Australia, the family is represented by four species in three subfamilies, Allostethinae (Gonolabidura meteor Steinmann), Labidurinae (Labidura riparia (Pallas) and Labidura truncata Kirby) and Nalinae (Nala lividipes (Dufour)). The latter two are tramp species which have been accidentally introduced into Australia, and are commonly collected at light. Nala lividipes is a pest of field crops (Rentz & Kevan 1991).

Labidurids are mostly robust, cylindrical, moderately large species, with the wings usually well developed, although occasionally absent. The antennae are elongate, with segments four to six short. The tarsi are not scapiform as in anisolabidids. The male genitalia are diagnostic for the family with the external parameres elongate and apically pointed, two genital lobes are present and are directed anteriorly and posteriorly, and the virgae each have distinctive, enlarged, basal vesicles. The forceps are either symmetrical or asymmetrical, often with the inner margins toothed (Steinmann 1989).

General References

Rentz, D.C.F. & Kevan, D.K.McE. 1991. Dermaptera (Earwigs). pp. 360-368 in CSIRO (ed.). The Insects of Australia. A textbook for students and research workers. Melbourne : Melbourne University Press Vol. 1 xiii 542 pp.

Steinmann, H. 1989. Dermaptera. Catadermaptera II. Das Tierreich 105: xix 1-504

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