Food consumption of Chrysoperla carnea and Ch. sinica on natural or substitutive preys (Myzus persicae or Ephestia kuehniella). Approach of the overall fitness of these predators

International audienc

Activities of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) third-instar larvae (Neuroptera : Chrysopidae) released on greenpepper plants against Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hom., Aphididae)

National audienc

Behavioral relations between the green lacewing Chrysoperla carnea Steph. and its preys : influence of the distance separating the preys

National audienc

Orius albidipennis (Rueter) as an effective biocontrol agent against Tetranychus urticae Koch on pepper crops in greenhouse in Egypt

Abstract The present study was carried out in greenhouses, on sweet pepper crops, during the winter plantations 2015–2016 and 2016–2017 in a commercial farm located at Berkash district, Giza, Egypt. During the first season, three acariphagous biocontrol agent species, the predatory mite, Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) (at a rate of 2 individuals/m2), and two of predatory insect, Macrolophus caliginosus Wagner (at a rate of 1 individual/m2) and Orius albidipennis (Reuter) (at a rate of 1/2 individual adults/m2), were applied to control Tetranychus urticae. The obtained results showed that T. urticae was controlled successfully using A. swirskii and O. albidipennis. Releasing of A. swirskii and O. albidipennis caused 26 and 24% yield increases, respectively, as compared to control treatment. During the second season of 2016–2017, the efficiency of O. albidipennis at a rate of 1/2 per m2 was compared to three recommended pesticides, for controlling T. urticae. The obtained results revealed that applying O. albidipennis proved to be the most efficient control method against T. urticae on sweet pepper, with the lowest remaining pest density of T. urticae (2.9 mites/leaf); while with chemical control, the remaining density of T. urticae reached 20.13 mites/leaf at the end of the season. Thus, results demonstrated that the released insect predator, O. albidipennis, was the most effective method to control T. urticae under greenhouse conditions for two reasons. On the one hand, it resulted in a 31.36% yield increase, and on the other hand, it could reduce the chemical application, to improve food safety and environmental pollution reduction

Dispersal and maintenance of Neoseiulus cucumeris and Amblyseius swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to control thrips in greenhouse crops as influenced by micro habitat environment

Conference: 4th International Conference for Applied Biological Control (ESBCP)Location: Cairo, EGYPTDate: OCT 19-22, 2015The present study aimed to investigate the effect of microclimate parameters within the plant cover as well as their effects on dispersal of the bioagents Neoseiulus cucumeris Oudemans and Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) at the plant level. It was a preliminary step to microclimate control in order to increase the bioagent efficacy. Effect of humidity was studied in priority, as it seems to have a preponderant role. It consisted in monitoring the dispersal of bioagents in parallel with microclimatic heterogeneity characterization at the plant level. The results highlighted that (i) the climatic parameters varied spatially within the plant according to the level: (ii) At high relative humidity, one week after release, both predators; A. swirskii and N. cucumeris showed a density increase on the plant, while under dry conditions the contrary occurred, and (iii) High humidity was suitable for both predators

Natural enemies of the South American moth, Tuta absoluta, in Europe, North Africa and Middle East, and their potential use in pest control strategies

The South American tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is an invasive Neotropical pest. After its first detection in Europe, it rapidly invaded more than 30 Western Palaearctic countries becoming a serious agricultural threat to tomato production in both protected and open-field crops. Among the pest control tactics against exotic pests, biological control using indigenous natural enemies is one of the most promising. Here, available data on the Afro-Eurasian natural enemies of T. absoluta are compiled. Then, their potential for inclusion in sustainable pest control packages is discussed providing relevant examples. Collections were conducted in 12 countries, both in open-field and protected susceptible crops, as well as in wild flora and/or using infested sentinel plants. More than 70 arthropod species, 20 % predators and 80 % parasitoids, were recorded attacking the new pest so far. Among the recovered indigenous natural enemies, only few parasitoid species, namely, some eulophid and braconid wasps, and especially mirid predators, have promising potential to be included in effective and environmentally friendly management strategies for the pest in the newly invaded areas. Finally, a brief outlook of the future research and applications of indigenous T. absoluta biological control agents are provided