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Biological control of aphids on capsicum 1
Author(s) -
HOMMES M.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
eppo bulletin
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.327
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 1365-2338
pISSN - 0250-8052
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2338.1992.tb00521.x
Subject(s) - myzus persicae , biology , midge , biological pest control , gall , cecidomyiidae , aphid , pupa , predation , pest analysis , horticulture , beneficial insects , pest control , natural enemies , botany , agronomy , ecology , larva
During four growing periods from 1986 to 1989, biological pest control on capsicum was investigated in glasshouses under practical conditions. Aphids, mainly Myzus persicae , caused the most serious pest problems. As biological control agents, the commercially available predatory gall midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza and the green lacewing Chrysoperla curnea were used. Both these natural enemies were released according to the recommendations of the producers. For the releases of the gall midges, small peat samples containing the pupae of the predator were placed at a few spots in the glasshouse (1–2 pupae per m 2 ). The lacewings were introduced as eggs on small mesh‐pieces which were placed on every second plant (10–20 eggs per m 2 ). In these experiments, control of the aphid populations was effective only if the two predators were introduced early and were released several times. During the summer, other natural enemies such as parasitic wasps, syrphids, ladybirds and predatory bugs immigrated from outdoors and enhanced the biological control of aphids.