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Experimental inundative releases of different strains of the egg parasite Trichogramma in Brussels sprouts

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Abstract

The effectiveness of inundative releases of four strains of the egg parasiteTrichogramma (Hymenoptera, Trichogrammatidae) to control five lepidopterous species infesting Brussels sprouts crops in the Netherlands was examined in small-scale field experiments in 1982–1985. Strains were selected on the basis of behavioural characteristics investigated in laboratory experiments, i.e. parasitization activity at low temperature and host-species preference.Mamestra brassicae (Noctuidae) was the most abundant host species. Its density usually averaged between 0.5 and 2.0 eggs/plant throughout most of the season (June–September). A very high peak density of 12 eggs/plant occurred in 1982. In other years the peak was below 2.5 eggs/plant.

Correspondence between the observed patterns of parasitism and behavioural characteristics of the strains was in general present. A strain ofT. evanescens (no. 57), with a high activity at 12°C, performed best againstM. brassicae. However, even its highest rate of parasitism (52%) was not sufficiently effective. A strain ofT. maidis (no. 11) performed best againstPieris brassicae andP. rapae (Pieridae), but parasitism remained low (<30%) and was generally limited to peak densities (<0.5 eggs plant) occurring in 1982 and 1985.Plutella xylostella (Yponomeutidae) was an abundant species in some years, but parasitism of its eggs was never observed. Egg densities ofEvergestis forficalis (Pyralidae) remained low in all years. The relationship between parasitims and host density and the influence of the parasite-release rate are discussed. Low host densities may have been a limiting factor for effective parasitism.

Samenvatting

In spruitkool kan schade veroorzaakt worden door rupsen van vijf soorten Lepidoptera. Inundatieve biologische bestrijding met de eiparasietTrichogramma (Hymenoptera, Trichogrammatidae) zou een alternatief kunnen zijn voor intensieve chemische gestrijding. In veldexperimenten (1982–1985) is de effectiviteit van vierTrichogramma spp. stammen vergeleken om de uitkomsten van laboratoriumonderzoek naar criteria voor de selectie van geschikte natuurlijke vijanden te evalueren. Selectiecriteria zijn gebaseerd op eigenschappen van het zoek- en parasiteringsgedrag van de parasieten, o.a. parasiteringsactiviteit bij lage temperatuur en gastheer-preferentie.

Mamestra brassicae (Noctuidae) was de talrijkste gastheersooort, met een gemiddelde dichtheid van 0,2–2,0 eieren/plant gedurende een groot deel van het seizoen (juni–september). Een extreem hoge piekdichtheid (12 eieren/plant) deed zich voor in 1982. In andere jaren was de piekdichtheid ongeveer 2,5 eieren/plant. Eieren vanM. brassicae werden het meest geparasiteerd door stam 57 (T. evanescens), maar zelfs het hoogste gemiddelde seizoenspercentage parasitisme (52%) was niet voldoende voor een effectieve bestrijding. EenT. maidis stam (11) gaf de beste resultaten tegenPieris brassicae enP. rapae (Pieridae), maar parasitisme was laag (<30%) en vrijwel beperkt tot piekdichtheden hoger dan 0,5 eieren/plant, die voorkwamen in 1982 en 1985.Plutella xylostella (Plutellidae) was soms talrijk, maar eiparasitisme leek niet voor te komen. De dichtheid vanEvergestis forficalis (Pyralidae) was gering in alle jaren.

Relatief lage gastheerdichtheden kunnen een beperkende factor geweest zijn voor het optreden van een effectieve percentages eiparasitisme. De resultaten tonen aan dat er een overeenstemming is tussen selectiecriteria die in het laboratorium zijn onderzocht en de effectiviteit van geselecteerde stammen in het veld.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology, Wageningen Agricultural University, Binnenhaven 7, 6709 PD, Wageningen, the Netherlands

    G. A. Pak, T. G. Van Heiningen, F. A. N. Van Alebeek & J. C. Van Lenteren

  2. Institute for Biological Pest Control, Heinrichstrasse 243, 6100, Darmstadt, Federal Republic of Germany

    S. A. Hassan

Authors
  1. G. A. Pak
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  2. T. G. Van Heiningen
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  3. F. A. N. Van Alebeek
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  4. S. A. Hassan
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  5. J. C. Van Lenteren
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Pak, G.A., Van Heiningen, T.G., Van Alebeek, F.A.N. et al. Experimental inundative releases of different strains of the egg parasite Trichogramma in Brussels sprouts. Netherlands Journal of Plant Pathology 95, 129–142 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01999968

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