Aphilin
Aphid Control
Parasitic wasps
What are parasitoid wasps?
Parasitoid wasps are small insects that play a crucial role in natural pest control. They are called "parasitic" because they lay their eggs inside or on harmful pest insects. These parasitoid wasp larvae then develop inside the host insect, eventually killing it.
These wasps are highly specialised, with different species targeting specific pests. They are effective in reducing the population of harmful insects, making them valuable allies in horticulture and agriculture. Unlike chemical pesticides, parasitoid wasps are natural and do not harm beneficial insects, animals, or the environment.
Parasitic wasps for pest control
Parasitic wasps target a variety of pests that are common concerns in commercial horticulture and agriculture. Here are some of the key pests controlled by parasitic wasps:
-
Parasitic wasps for aphids Parasitic wasps for aphids Aphids are notorious for infesting a wide range of crops and causing damage by sucking plant sap and transmitting plant viruses. Parasitic wasps, such as Aphelinus abdominalis (Aphilin), Aphidius colemani (Aphipar), Aphidius matricariae (Aphipar-M), Aphidius ervi (Ervipar) and Praon volucre, Ephedrus cerasicola (Aphiscout) are particularly effective in controlling aphid populations.
-
Parasitic wasps for whiteflies Parasitic wasps for whiteflies Whiteflies are common pests that feed on plant sap and transmit plant diseases. Encarsia formosa (En-Strip) and Eretmocerus eremicus (Ercal, Enermix) are parasitic wasps known for their efficacy in controlling whitefly populations.
-
Parasitic wasps for leaf miners Parasitic wasps for leaf miners Leaf miners are pests that create tunnels within plant leaves, damaging the foliage. Some parasitic wasps, like Diglyphus isaea (Miglyphus) and Dacnusa sibirica (Minusa), target leaf miner larvae by laying their eggs inside the leaf miner's pupae.
-
Parasitic wasps for mealybugs and scales Parasitic wasps for mealybugs and scales Mealybugs and scales are sap-feeding insects that can weaken and damage plants. Anagyrus vladimiri (Citripar) is a parasitic wasp species that preys on mealybugs.
-
Parasitic wasps for stink bugs Parasitic wasps for stink bugs -
Parasitic wasps for caterpillars Parasitic wasps for caterpillars Caterpillars can devastate crops by feeding on leaves and fruits. Certain parasitic wasps, like Trichogramma species, lay their eggs in caterpillar eggs, preventing their development.
Benefits of parasitoid wasps
Using parasitoid wasps for pest control offers a range of benefits:
- Enhanced crop protection: Parasitoid wasps are highly efficient at targeting specific pest insects. By introducing these beneficial insects, growers can significantly reduce the damage caused by pests, ensuring a higher yield and product quality.
- Environmental sustainability: Parasitoid wasps provide a natural and environmentally responsible solution to pest management. This approach minimises the environmental impact associated with chemical pesticides and promotes a more sustainable agricultural model.
- Cost-effective pest management: By incorporating parasitoid wasps into integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, growers can reduce their reliance on costly chemical pesticides.
- Consistency and long-term effectiveness: Parasitoid wasps, once established, offer consistent and long-term pest control. These beneficial insects persistently hunt down and parasitise pest species, providing ongoing protection for crops throughout the growing season.
- Biodiversity and ecosystem balance: The introduction of parasitoid wasps into commercial growing environments can promote biodiversity, as the use of harmful chemicals decreases. This, in turn, creates a more balanced ecosystem in the crop, which can enhance overall crop health and resilience. A diverse ecosystem often means fewer imbalances and outbreaks of specific pest species.
How do parasitoid wasps control pests?
Parasitoid wasps employ two primary methods to control pests: parasitisation and host feeding.
Parasitisation
Parasitisation is the primary means by which parasitoid wasps control pests in agriculture. This process involves the parasitoid wasp laying its eggs inside or on a host pest. Here's how it works:
- Egg laying: A female parasitoid wasp seeks out a suitable host pest. The choice of host depends on the specific species of parasitoid wasp, as they often exhibit host specificity. The female parasitoid wasp carefully inserts its eggs either inside the host's body or attaches them to the host's exterior.
- Larval development: When the parasitoid wasp eggs hatch, the newly emerged larvae begin to feed on the host pest. They consume the host from the inside, which ultimately leads to the death of the host.
- Pupal stage: After the larvae have consumed the host, they pupate, forming a cocoon or pupal stage within or on the host's body.
- Emergence: Once the parasitoid wasp reaches maturity, it emerges from the host's body or the cocoon. The host pest is typically killed in the process.
Host feeding
In addition to parasitisation, some parasitoid wasps also engage in host feeding. This behavior involves the adult wasps feeding on the host’s body fluids, which can be important for their reproduction. It's important to note that not all species of parasitoid wasps engage in host feeding, and the primary method of pest control remains parasitisation.
Parasitoid wasp products
With over five decades of experience and expertise, Koppert is a trusted source for growers seeking effective and reliable biological control solutions. Koppert offers various parasitoid wasp solutions for the control of aphids, whiteflies, leaf miners, mealybugs, stink bugs and caterpillars.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What are parasitoid wasps, and how do they benefit agriculture? What are parasitoid wasps, and how do they benefit agriculture? Parasitoid wasps are small insects that play a vital role in natural pest control. They benefit agriculture by targeting and parasitising specific pest insects, effectively reducing pest populations and minimising the need for chemical pesticides.
-
Are parasitoid wasps harmful to crops or other beneficial insects? Are parasitoid wasps harmful to crops or other beneficial insects? No, parasitoid wasps are not harmful to crops or beneficial insects. They are highly selective in their choice of host pests, ensuring that they primarily target harmful insects. This makes them a valuable addition to integrated pest management (IPM) strategies.
-
What types of pests do parasitoid wasps commonly control in agriculture? What types of pests do parasitoid wasps commonly control in agriculture? Parasitoid wasps are known to control a variety of pests, including aphids, caterpillars, whitefly, mealybugs and scales, stink bugs and leaf miners. The specific pests they target may vary depending on the species of parasitoid wasp.
-
Can parasitoid wasps work in all types of crop environments and climates? Can parasitoid wasps work in all types of crop environments and climates? Parasitoid wasps can be effective in various agricultural environments and climates. However, it's essential to select the appropriate species of parasitoid wasps for your specific region and crop type.
-
Are there any precautions I should take when introducing parasitoid wasps to my crop? Are there any precautions I should take when introducing parasitoid wasps to my crop? It's advisable to seek guidance from experts when introducing parasitoid wasps to ensure the right species are used and that the timing and release methods are appropriate for your specific pest issues.
