EPPO Bulletin (2012) 42, 249-254

H. Do Thi Khanh, A. Chailleux, M. Tiradon, N. Desneux, E. Colombel and E. Tabone (2012)
Using new egg parasitoids (Trichogramma spp.) to improve integrated management against Tuta absoluta
EPPO Bulletin 42 (2), 249-254
Abstract: This study is the first step of the TutaPI program (2011-13) to decrease the costs of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies against Tuta absoluta in France by investigating new beneficial insects. Currently, the association of predator/egg parasitoid (Macrolophus pygmaeus and Trichogramma achaeae, respectively) in IPM strategies are quite effective, but expensive. Sixty-four new potential strains from 19 Trichogramma species originating from different regions of the world (from the collection of Trichogramma at INRA Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur (PACA), France) were studied in this work. A screening study was performed on T. absoluta eggs on isolated tomato leaves (for 24 h at 25 ± 1°C, RH 75 ± 5% and 16 h light : 8 h dark). The proportion of parasitized T. absoluta eggs varied greatly (between 0 and 73%) depending on the different strains used. Levels of parasitism by females, equal to or higher than that of T. achaeae, were observed in 14 of the strains tested among eight species (four from France, four from elsewhere in Europe). The proportion of females that parasitized T. absoluta eggs was significantly different between strains (from 0 to 100%). Experimental results allowed about half of the 64 initial strains to be eliminated before the next steps: tests on a larger scale (mesocosm, and then in the greenhouse and field).
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Elisabeth Tabone, Nicolas Desneux

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
evaluation - screening - selection

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Phthorimaea absoluta	Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)	France
Trichogramma achaeae (parasitoid)	Phthorimaea absoluta	Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)	France