Biological control of the leafminer, Liriomyza trifolii by introduction, releasing, evaluation of the parasitoids Diglyphus isaea and Dacnusa sibirica on vegetables crops in greenhouses in Egypt

Abstract

The serpentine leafminer, Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) (Diptera: Agromyzidae), is one of the most serious pests of various floricultural and vegetable crops. The European strains of the parasitoids Diglyphus isaea (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and Dacnusa sibirica Telenga (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) were imported from The Netherlands. A total of 90,000 of these parasitoids were reared and released on cucumber and tomato in greenhouses. The parasitism rates of D. sibirica reached maximum 11.6% and 7.2% in the 11th week from the releasing date, on cucumber and tomato, respectively. Also the parasitism rates of the European strain of D. isaea increased until it reached a maximum 2.1% and 1.4%, in the tenth week from the releasing date on cucumber and tomato, respectively. It is concluded that the parasitoids D. sibirica and the European strain of D. isaea can be established in Egypt.

Keywords:

• Leafminer
• Liriomyza trifolii
• biological control
• Dacnusa sibirica

Acknowledgements

This work would not have been possible without valuable help from Prof. Dr Magdy El-Hariry, the Director of Plant Protection Research Institute. The author is extremely grateful to Dr Hecham Farid, the Director of Ecoline Company, for sending the materials from its company and also providing the necessary resources.