Earwig and Ispopod Question

[Spepper]

I caught about 15-20 baby earwigs earlier this year, and gradually they have disappeared. I'm down to 5 or 6 now. I never find any remains. I wonder if perhaps the problem is me not feeding them enough, or they're just prone to cannibilism, and the other earwigs begin it and the Isopods (in with them) finish it. Also, the Isopod population has exploded from the few adults I put in, and I now have probably 25 babies of varying sizes in there. Could they be not helping the earwigs as well, since there's so many of them? What do you guys think is the issue?

Hope my problem made sense. I was kinda hurried. LOL

 

[khil]

This has happened to me as well, the only explanation is cannibalism. Even with a lot of feeding it happens occasionally. Regardless as they mature they are pretty much fine living with a couple others, and it's fun rearing earwigs.

 

[nirotorin]

I figured they were totally peaceful with their own species. Interesting.

 

[Spepper]

Thanks guys. I was worried it was the isopod population. Also, some of the isopod babies are kind of peachy colored. I've heard of this happening. Still, it's startling seeing them kind of orange since they had grey parents, haha. And their older siblings were grey as well. I'm thinking of putting in the orange ones with my 6 new roach nymphs to grow up and be a clean-up crew, and also to hopefully intensify the orange color after a generation or two. Except I'm worried they'd overpopulate there as well.

 

[MrCrackerpants]

I have raised huge numbers of earwigs in moist enclosures with a few inches of moist loose substrate (soil, coir and aspen shavings) and a dead leaf layer. I add springtails (not isopods) and a few pierces of dry dog food. I have never noticed cannibalism. I always keep the moister level high but do not ever let the substrate get soaked. I hope this helps. I love earwigs. Good luck.

 

[Spepper]

Earwigs are fascinating little critters. Thank you! Would adding the Isopods to my roach enclosure be a problem in the long-run?