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Trichogrammatid Egg Parasitoids as a Component in the Management of Vegetable-Crop Insect Pests
Editor(s): Richard L. Ridgway; Michael P. Hoffmann; May N. Inscoe; Carol S. Glenister
Chapter Author(s): John T. Trumble, Benito Alvarado-Rodriguez
Print Publication Date: 1998
Abstract

The integration of Trichogramma spp. into pest management programs for large-scale commercial vegetable production has not been a simple process. Initially, key problems with environmental factors such as temperature and humidity were significant impediments to success. Historical difficulties with species or strain selection, the temporary host deprivation common in many agricultural fields, and interference among competing parasitoids also can be problematical. Substantial reductions in parasitoid quality (longevity, searching ability, etc.) have been documented in cases where eggs are superparasitized. In addition, pest management programs have suffered from complications resulting from incompatibility of Trichogramma spp. and pesticides. Development of crops with host plant resistance to pest insects has not always been compatible with releases of Trichogramma spp. Nonetheless, there are strategies for selecting appropriate species and strains and integrating the parasitoids with other control approaches. Most researchers agree that the key factors for species–strain selection for an inundative release program include acceptance of the host plant for foraging, acceptance of the host insect, tolerance for local environmental conditions, ability to parasitize eggs of varying ages, and searching efficiency and behavior. These species–strain selections can be integrated with other control strategies because a significant number of pesticides have a minimal impact on Trichogramma spp. Several case studies of fresh-market tomatoes are available that provide documentation of the potential benefits and economic impacts of mass releases of Trichogramma spp. in coordination with other pest control strategies. The value of such releases of T. pretiosum in tomatoes has been recognized commercially, and the practice is now in significant practical use in the tomato industry of Mexico.

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