Biological control of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in protected tomato crops in Argentina

LUNA, M.G.; PEREYRA, P.C.; SANCHEZ, NE

Catania

Encuentro; Working Group Meeting: Integrated Control in Protected Crops, Mediterranean Climate. International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC), West Paleartic Region Section (WPRS); 2012

IOBC and University of Catania, Italy

We present results of a ten-year research project on life history traits and field interaction of two main Tuta absoluta indigenous larval parasitoids, Pseudapanteles dignus and Dineulophus phtorimaeae. These natural enemies naturally coexist in cropping conditions, show positive characteristics as biological control agents against T. absoluta by means of augmentative releases in argentinean greenhouse tomato.