A parasitoid wasp allied with an entomopathogenic virus to control Tuta absoluta
View/Open
Publication date
2024-02-09ISSN
0261-2194
Abstract
Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a major threat to worldwide tomato production, and sustainable management methods are needed. Betabaculovirus phoperculellae (PhopGV) and the parasitoid wasp Necremnus tutae Ribes & Bernardo (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) were identified as promising biocontrol agents of this pest. Since the virus is most effective against first instar larvae, whereas the parasitoid targets older ones, combining both agents could result in increased pest control. We conducted a replicated semi-field experiment to evaluate the control efficacy of N. tutae and PhopGV when used alone and in combination against T. absoluta and their compatibility over an entire growth period. Combining the two agents achieved the highest larval (−24 %) and crop damage (−29 %) reduction cumulated over the entire experiment. However, there was no significant additive effect of the two agents. At the end of the trial, which coincided with the emergence of the third generation of T. absoluta adults, using the virus alone resulted in the strongest reduction of adult density (−78 %), followed by the virus-parasitoid combination (−59 %). No negative effect of the virus was recorded on the parasitoid population. Our results demonstrate the compatibility and potential of N. tutae and PhopGV to reduce population growth and crop damage of T. absoluta under semi-field conditions. While more research is needed, our findings provide important insights into an innovative combination of biocontrol agents, thereby contributing to more sustainable agriculture.
Document Type
Article
Document version
Published version
Language
English
Subject (CDU)
632 - Plant damage, injuries. Plant diseases. Pests, organisms injurious to plants. Plant protection
Pages
7
Publisher
Elsevier
Is part of
Crop Protection
Citation
Koller, Janique, Jérémy Gonthier, Lindsey Norgrove, Judit Arnó, Louis Sutter, and Jana Collatz. 2024. “A Parasitoid Wasp Allied With an Entomopathogenic Virus to Control Tuta Absoluta.” Crop Protection 179 (May): 106617. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2024.106617.
Program
Protecció Vegetal Sostenible
This item appears in the following Collection(s)
- ARTICLES CIENTÍFICS [2838]
Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/