BioControl (2017) 62, 85-95

Jacinter Atieno Otieno, Philip Pallmann and Hans-Michael Poehling (2017)
Additive and synergistic interactions amongst Orius laevigatus (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae), entomopathogens and azadirachtin for controlling western flower thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)
BioControl 62 (1), 85-95
Abstract: This study evaluated the efficacy of the foliage-dwelling predator Orius laevigatus, soil applied entomopathogens and azadirachtin alone and in combinations for controlling western flower thrips (WFT). Evaluated products were Nemastar^®Steinernema carpocapsae (E-nema) and O. laevigatus (Re-natur), Metarhizium anisopliae isolate ICIPE-69 and NeemAzal-T (azadirachtin) (Trifolio). Efficacy against WFT was significantly improved by combined treatments achieving 62–97 % reduction in WFT emergence, compared to 45–74 % in single treatments, and interactions resulted in two synergistic and eight additive responses. Metarhizium-based treatments reduced WFT survival by 93–99.6 % when late mortality by mycosis was considered. Halving the number of released predators did not significantly reduce efficacy (86–96 vs. 76–88 % thrips reduction), and when Orius was introduced to target L1 of WFT, 96–98 % reduction was achieved while only 71–89 % for L2. Early release of O. laevigatus and combination with soil application of NeemAzal-T and/or entomopathogens can be a successful and reliable biocontrol strategy for WFT.
(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): Hans-Michael Poehling

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation
resistance to pesticides

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Frankliniella occidentalis
Steinernema carpocapsae/Xenorhabdus nematophila (entomopathogen)	Frankliniella occidentalis
Orius laevigatus (predator)	Frankliniella occidentalis
Metarhizium anisopliae (entomopathogen)	Frankliniella occidentalis