Will releases of these wasps work in the Midwest for biological control of the tarnished plant bug? Does the use of this type of biological control require an entirely new approach to pest management in strawberries? If a grower decides to use biological control, is it likely that damage due to insects would increase?

These are important questions that need to be addressed before biological control of tarnished plant bug can be recommended in midwestern strawberry fields. No one has answers to these questions yet but researchers at Iowa State University are working on them, and do have a good basis to advise a grower of some of the differences a biologically-based approach to pest management would include.

Reducing the use of insecticides for the tarnished plant bug may have a dramatic effect on the diversity of insects in a strawberry field. Could this result in outbreaks of other insect pests, for example the strawberry leaf roller? Based upon studies done at Iowa State University, it is unlikely that a secondary pest such as the leafroller would become a problem. In a three year study in central Iowa, 14 species of parasitic wasps were recovered from leafroller larvae. Because strawberries have a relatively high tolerance for leaf roller feeding and leaf rolling activities, these naturally-occurring parasitoids should maintain populations at tolerable levels. Reducing insecticide use should also have a positive effect on the abundance of predatory species in a strawberry field, for example, lady beetles and spiders. The transition from an insecticide-based approach to strawberry insect pest management to a biologically-based approach can be accomplished in the Midwest.

Why should you consider reducing the use of insecticides on strawberries?

Reduced potential consumer exposure to insecticides in U-pick strawberry operations.
Reduced potential for insecticide residues on strawberries and possibly a higher price for strawberries grown with no or mininal use of insecticides.
Reduced insecticide exposure to wildlife and pets.
Using biological control will significantly reduce your contact with insecticides.
Increased activity of naturally occurring beneficial insects. These insects are usually killed by insecticide applications, but if preserved may reduce densities of insect pests in strawberries.