IOBC Conference Contributions

The International Organization for Biological Control's (IOBC) international conference, "Technology Transfer in Biological Control: From Research to Practice," held in Montpellier, France, September 9-11, 1996 included scientists in various disciplines from around the world. The following are very brief summaries of the abstracts of a few of the presentations on biological control of insects that may be of interest to our Midwestern readers.

Development of a biopesticide (Ostranil) for fighting against the European corn borer - Alain Durand, INRA, Dijon, France

• The French equivalent of our USDA, in cooperation with other agencies and an industrial company, have commercialized a strain of Beauveria bassiana that infects specifically European corn borer and kills the larvae within 2-5 days. The product, Ostranil, is not currently available in the United States.

Development and use of Trichogramma in the field for insect control in Western Europe - Firouz Kabiri, Biotop, Valbonne, France

• Research programs for biological control of European corn borer with the egg parasite Trichogramma brassicae in Europe started in France, Germany, and Switzerland in 1973-76. Research continued in France for over 15 years, culminating with a commercial product. Two main factors proved to be critical for the acceptance of Trichogramma by farmers: (1) the costs of the product and (2) the efficacy. Efficacy is comparable to that of insecticides, but costs are still higher than for insecticides; therefore, use of Trichogramma is subsidized by governments of several German counties.

The rhabditid nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita for biological control of slugs: from research to biocontrol product - David Glen, University of Bristol, UK

• Phasmarhabditis hermaphordita is a bacterial-feeding nematode which is capable of killing a wide range of pest slug and snail species, but is harmless to other invertebrates. The nematode enters the shell sac of the host slug and causes the slug to stop feeding, thereby preventing slug damage. A wide range of crops have been protected from slug damage in field trials where the nematode was applied to moist soil or incorporated into drier soil. Non-target molluscs living in field margins adjacent to treated areas were not affected. Commercialization is the next step.

Progress in the use of Delphastus pusillus and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus for managing Bemisia (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) in ornamentals - Lance Osborne, University of Florida

• Progress in the development of the use of the predatory beetle Delphastus pusillus for control of whiteflies has been stymied by problems with species identification. It appears the species that was evaluated was D. catalinae and not D. pusillus. The fungus Paecilomyces fumosoroseus can be used effectively during certain phases of ornamental plant production to manage both whiteflies and twospotted spider mite, but the most important obstacle to its implementation is its lack of registration in Europe and the United States.

Plutella xylostella (Lep. Yponomeutidae) with special reference to its parasitoids in South Africa - Rami Kfir, PPRI, Pretoria, South Africa

• A large number of parasitoid and hyperparasitoid species associated with diamondback moth (DBM) in South Africa suggest that southern Africa might be the place of origin of DBM, and could be a good location to search for parasitoids to introduce into other countries where DBM is a problem.

Practical use of predaceous mites to manage twospotted spider mites on strawberries - Glenn Scriven, Biotactics, Inc., Riverside, CA

• Large scale use of the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis for control of twospotted spider mite on strawberry was initiated in California in the late 1980's. Programs were developed by trial and error, with the aid of pest control advisors, predator producers and university Extension personnel. Although grower success varies considerably, 80% of the growers now integrate predators into their mite control programs.

Prospects for management of pear thrips [Taeniothrips inconsequens (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)] in sugar maple (Acer saccharum) forests in the the Northeastern United States - Alan Cameron, Penn. State University

• Thrips, although quite erratic in infestation levels, can severely impact maple syrup production for up to three years following moderate to heavy defoliation. Biological control agents such as parasitoids (the wasp Ceranisus sp.), nematodes, and fungal pathogens are being researched to determine their value in thrips management.

- Susan Mahr, University of Wisconsin-Madison

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