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49

CONCLUSIONS

Results from the experiment in which various baits were tested as to their degree of effectiveness show a decided predominance of nymphal forms caught. The lack of mature forms obtainable at the onset of the season influenced the manner in which succeeding laboratory experiments were conducted where nymphs and adults were used either separately or in combination. There is little room for doubt that peanut butter was the superior bait. In addition to its desirability from this standpoint, it was also the least messy to handle of the substances tested and remained most attractive to earwigs even after extended exposure to the elements. This was shown by an increase in the numbers of insects that were attracted to traps baited with peanut butter, although it is understood that this increase was no doubt partially due to the added attraction caused by the scent which earwigs caught previously had left behind them in the traps, since other traps, including the unbaited ones, brought increased catches after the first day.

The first experiment in effects of chemicals in which third and fourth ins tar nymphs were continuously exposed to the insecticides, does not seem to show a wide enough separation between the effects of any of the chemicals to merit serious consideration. This was certainly due in part to the high temperatures and dry atmospheric conditions in the outdoor insectary that the easily desiccated nymphs had to withstand. Probably this was partly due also to the activation of the chemicals by the higher temperatures. Perhaps the second