Articles
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF THE WHITEFLY, TRIALEURODES VAPORARIORUM W., IN YUGOSLAVIA
In this production an important limiting factor is Trialeurodes vaporariorum W.
The first attempts at biological control of T. vaporariorum were made in 1981 when Encarsia formosa Gahan was imported from the USSR. The relation between this wasp and its host was investigated.
Development rate, longevity and reproductive capacity were compared.
From time to time E. formosa was used with variable success for the control of T. vaporariorum in glasshouses.
In the region of Yugoslavia, 15 species of natural enemies of T. vaporariorum were determined.
These are: four species of the family Aphelinidae, six species from the family Nabidae and Anthocoridae, seven species from the family Coccinellidae and two species from the family of Chrysopidae. The species: Encarsia formosa Gahan, Encarsia tricolor Foerster, Encarsia partenopea Masi, Encarsia lutea Masi, Clitostethus arcuatus Rossi and Chrysopa phyllochroma Vesmael were registered for the first time.
Parasitoid wasps were used in production glasshouses according to the classic method ("pest-in-first method") and the method of introducing parasitoids after the occurrence of the whitefly.
Using the first method of introduction, the efficiency of E. formosa on tomato plants ranged from 85–95%.