Neotropical Entomology (2018) 47, 553-559

C.L. Cagnotti, M. Riquelme Virgala, E.N. Botto and S.N. López (2018)
Dispersion and persistence of Trichogrammatoidea bactrae (Nagaraja) over Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), in tomato greenhouses
Neotropical Entomology 47 (4), 553-559
Abstract: Inundative biological control depends on the ability of natural enemies to disperse and persist in the environment. The objective was to evaluate the dispersion and persistence of Trichogrammatoidea bactrae (Nagaraja) on Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) eggs. Inundative releases of this parasitoid were performed in experimental tomato greenhouses. For vertical dispersion, leaves of the upper and middle third of plants were artificially infested with T. absoluta eggs; for horizontal dispersion, plants at increasing distances from a release point were infested. These eggs were renewed at days 2 and 4 to evaluate persistence. The amount of parasitized patches was registered. Logistic regression analysis was used. The position of the eggs in the plant did not affect the DE (discovery efficiency: proportion of parasitized patches). Time since release negatively affected the DE, while distance affected it only when plants were higher. These results could be used to adjust the release methodology of T. bactrae.
(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): Eduardo N. Botto, Silvia N. Lopez

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Phthorimaea absoluta	Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
Trichogrammatoidea bactrae (parasitoid)	Phthorimaea absoluta	Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)