WUR's research "Selection and evaluation of new natural enemies for preventive control of aphids in greenhouse horticulture" has yielded two new candidates for biological control of aphids. These are the triangle capuchin, Scymnus interruptus and the variegated lacewing, Micromus variegatus.
When used preventively, both species can suppress new aphid hotspots. In cucumber, the lacewing M. variegatus proved to be a good candidate for locating new aphid hot spots and in rose, control of potato aphid was most successful with the parasitic wasps Praon volucre and Aphelinus abdominalis. Knowledge in your Greenhouse Foundation shares the results of the study.
For adequate control of floe-sucking insects such as aphids, many floriculture and greenhouse vegetable crops in their integrated cultivation systems are highly dependent on a shrinking package of chemical crop protection products. WUR's "Selection and evaluation of new natural enemies for preventive control of aphids in greenhouse horticulture" project aims to design a more stable ecosystem that can more effectively suppress and/or control emerging pests such as aphids.
A more stable ecosystem in the greenhouse, i.e. a more robust system of natural enemies in the various greenhouse crops, will make it possible to reduce the use of chemical agents. In addition, through this more robust system, cultivation security can be increased, which benefits the production and quality of the cultivated product, shares Knowledge in your Greenhouse Foundation. Both ornamental and greenhouse vegetable crops are severely affected by aphids.
The final report can be viewed here.