Breeding natural enemies – successful farmers´ experiences (BIOFRUITNET Practice Abstract)

Summary

The combination of several measures with those enhancing the predator can effectively reduce the population year after year.
Practical recommendation: 1)Farmers requested to participate as “collaborating insectaries” while the public administration provided the insects and advice. 2) A breeding cycle has a total duration of 3-4 months. Farmers can breed 1 to 4 cycles per year. The process consists of the following: a) Germinating potatoes on the substrate (sand or peat) in the dark, at 22°C, with air renewal and regular watering for one month (Picture 1). b) The pest (Planococcus citri) is provided to them on fake pepper leaves, and they are released into the brood, which is then kept at 26°C for one month (Picture 2). 3) The adults of the predator are introduced (35 days). The predator is collected for three weeks. They are attracted to the point of light, and with food (a mixture of water, agar, honey and sugar), and collected manually (Picture 3). 3) They are released in the plots at inoculative doses (2,000 adults/ha). Release time: for Planococus citri (June), for Delottococcus aberiae (June to September), for Pulvinaria polygonata (May to October). They are also released in other crops, such as persimmon and pomegranate (from June to September).