BioControl (2020) 65, 693-701
Rey D. Iturralde-García, Cristina Castañé, Francisco J. Wong-Corral and Jordi Riudavets (2020)
Biological control of Acanthoscelides obtectus and Zabrotes subfasciatus in stored dried beans
BioControl 65 (6), 693-701
Abstract: This study assesses the feasibility of using natural enemies for the control of Acanthoscelides obtectus Say and Zabrotes subfasciatus Boheman (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), key pests of stored dried beans, Phaseolus vulgaris L. (Fabales: Fabaceae). The predatory mites Blattisocius tarsalis Berlese (Acari: Ascidae) and Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) were able to prey on A. obtectus eggs, reducing the bruchid population by more than 60% under both controlled and warehouse conditions. Therefore, they show good potential as biological agents for controlling this pest. The larval parasitoids Anisopteromalus calandrae Howard and Lariophagus distinguendus Förster (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) were both moderately effective (34–38% reduction) at suppressing A. obtectus populations, but when A. calandrae was combined with B. tarsalis, a significant improvement in control efficacy (81% reduction in emergence) was observed. Therefore, the release of A. calandrae combined with B. tarsalis seems to be a promising strategy for controlling A. obtectus. Neither B. tarsalis nor A. swirskii were able to prey on Z. subfasciatus eggs. Only the parasitoid A. calandrae was moderately effective (39% reduction) at supressing Z. subfasciatus populations. Further testing is needed to identify other natural enemies that can complement the action of A. calandrae in reducing Z. subfasciatus populations.
(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): Jordi Riudavets
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
evaluation - screening - selection
