Biological control of Bemisia tabaci
Experiments were carried out in The Netherlands to compare the development time, survival and fecundity of Encarsia formosa on Bemisia tabaci (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) and Trialeurodes vaporariorum in order to evaluate if the parasite is able to control B. tabaci sufficiently. Hungarian and Dutch scientists found that E. formosa developed more slowly, showed a higher mortality and was less fecund when B. tabaci was offered as host. B. tabaci also had a lower acceptance by the parasite.
The authors, therefore, conclude that E. formosa is not sufficiently effective to be used in a self-perpetuating control system when the crop is infested exclusively with B. tabaci or with the two whitefly species. In their opinion control of B. tabaci through E. formosa can be achieved only by regular releases of the parasite during the cropping season.
This item has been available in INFOEPPO since 1993-05-21!
Sources
Szabo, P.; van Lenteren, J.C.; Huisman, P.W.T. (1993) Development time, survival and fecundity of Encarsia formosa on Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum.
IOBC/WPRS Bulletin 16 (2), 173-176.