Improving biocontrol of Plutella xylostella (L.)

The workshop on improving biocontrol of Plutella xylostella was held over 2 days during the symposium of the same name held in October 2002 in Montpellier France. Fifty workers from 19 countries participated and formed 5 breakout groups. The backgrounds of the participants were varied. Seventeen topics were sent by e-mail to the organizers before the meeting, and a further 28 were added in Montpellier. Twenty-eight papers were submitted to the symposium, each paper accompanied by a poster presentation. Two sessions of discussions resulted in support for closer collaboration between biocontrol practitioners, geneticists, extension workers and farmers in order to improve the outcome of biocontrol of Plutella xylostella. Participants made 15 recommendations for improving biocontrol of Plutella xylostella including the following; using the internet for information exchange; refine climate matching techniques to improve foreign exploration for natural enemies; refine modelling for prediction of impact; increase collection of ecological data; increase use of genetic characterization of P. xylostella and natural enemies; facilitate registration of entomopathogens; use molecular techniques and classical taxonomy for identifying parasitoids; encourage standardized research approaches. (Résumé d'auteur