Geïntegreerde bestrijding van plagen in de sierteelt onder glas : een systeembenadering met preventieve biologische bestrijding als basis

The control of greenhouse pests in ornamental crops is getting more difficult because of the decreasing number of available pesticides. Alternative methods of pest control, based on biopesticides and natural enemies is promising, but not yet robust and reliable enough. In this project we developed and evaluated several methods to enhance the biological control of western flower thrips, Echinothrips americanus, whiteflies and mealybugs. Most studies were focused on preventive control measures that promote the establishment and efficacy of natural enemies by using top layers, alternative food, artificial domatia and a banker plant system. Furthermore we studied the interaction between parasitoids and predatory beetles for curative control of mealybugs. Finally, a number of (bio)pesticides was evaluated for their potential use as a correction tool against western flower thrips