Uncertainty about the taxonomic status and the specificity of a species commonly prevent its consideration as a candidate for biological control of pest organisms. Here we use a combination of molecular analysis and crossing experiments to gather evidence that the parasitoid wasp Ganaspis brasiliensis, a candidate for biological control of the invasive spotted wing drosophila Drosophila suzukii, is a complex of at least two cryptic species. Complementary experiments demonstrate that individuals from one genetic group readily parasitize several drosophila species regardless of their food source while individuals from the other one are almost exclusively specific to larvae feeding in ripening fruits. Because only D. suzukii attacks ripening fruits in its area of invasion, parasitoids from this second group appear to be well suited as a biological control agent. Our study demonstrates the need for a combination of biosystematics with biological and ecological investigations for the development of safe and efficient biological control programs.

2 The potential of Dicyphus bolivari and Dicyphus errans as biological control agents of Tuta absoluta was evaluated  In laboratory, females and 5 th -instar nymphs of both mirids showed a type II functional response to eggs of T. absoluta  In greenhouse, both predators were able to reduce the population of T. absoluta, but less effectively than Macrolophus pygmaeus, which showed the strongest numerical response  Functional response studies should be combined with population dynamics and multipleprey studies to evaluate omnivorous predator efficacy Author Contribution StatementBLI and GM conceived, designed the trials and wrote the manuscript. NB analysed the functional response data. BLI, AI, LD, JBW and AL conducted the experiments. LT supervised the trials and contributed to manuscript writing. All authors read and approved the manuscript.

As a species belonging to the Fagales order, Corylus avellana L. (Corylaceae) has kept some archaic biological traits. Unlike most angiosperms, the ovary is not sufficiently differentiated at the time of pollination. Therefore, the pollen tube has a discontinuous growth, leading to a long period from pollination to fertilization (Sogo et al., 2004;Liu et al., 2014a). In southwestern France, depending on the cultivar, ovule development starts in March and fertilization occurs anywhere between the end of May and the first 3 weeks of June. At that time, the shell diameter ranges from 7 to 10 mm (Germain et al., 2004).Kernel maturation ends in August, and nuts drop to the ground. At key steps of development -mainly pollination, fertilization, kernel expansion, and kernel maturation -various biotic and abiotic stressors may occur, leading to many possible characteristic defects. These defects can range from blank nuts (i.e., no kernel or kernel abortion) to shrivelled kernels and corked kernels (Erdogan & Mehlenbacher, 2001;Germain et al., 2004;Beyhan & Marangoz, 2007;Liu et al., 2013). Stressors vary in nature, from exogenous agents such as climate conditions to endogenous agents such as genetic features and diseases. Injury from true-bug (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) feeding is one of the main biotic and exogenous stressors

Effecten van omnivore roofwantsen op plagen in gerbera, tomaat en roos en de risico's op bloem-en vruchtschade Omnivorous predators of the Miridae family feed both on plant and prey. This ability is a huge advantage for establishment into crops when pests are absent or scarce, but at the same time a risk when through plant feeding fruit and flowers get damaged. In this project we evaluated the potential for pest control with mirid predators in gerbera, rose and tomato crops. Pest control was assessed for whiteflies (gerbera and tomato), Echinothrips (gerbera and rose), Tuta absoluta (tomato), The Tomato Looper (gerbera and tomato) andNesidiocoris tenuis (tomato). In gerbera and tomato, not only pest control, but also the level of crop damage these mirids can cause was assessed. Finally, methods to enhance establishment were evaluated. AbstractOmnivore roofwantsen van de familie Miridae hebben de bijzondere eigenschap dat ze zowel van plantmateriaal als van prooien kunnen leven. Dit brede voedselmenu heeft enorme voordelen voor de biologische bestrijding, omdat ze daardoor verschillende plaagsoorten kunnen bestrijden en tegelijkertijd preventief ingezet kunnen worden doordat ze zich voeden met plantsappen en/of alternatief voedsel. Dit voordeel van plantenvoeding is tegelijkertijd een nadeel, omdat de wantsen ook schade kunnen geven aan bloemen en vruchten. In dit project is de potentie voor plaagbestrijding met een aantal soorten omnivore roofwantsen onderzocht in gerbera, roos en tomaat. De plaagbestrijding was gericht op wittevlieg (gerbera en tomaat), Echinothrips (roos en gerbera), Tuta absoluta (tomaat), Turkse mot (gerbera en tomaat) en Nesidiocoris tenuis (tomaat). Daarnaast hebben we gekeken naar de schade die ze kunnen veroorzaken in gerbera en tomaat en is gekeken naar methoden om vestiging te verbeteren.Stichting Wageningen Research. Alle rechten voorbehouden. Niets uit deze uitgave mag worden verveelvoudigd, opgeslagen in een geautomatiseerd gegevensbestand, of openbaar gemaakt, in enige vorm of op enige wijze, hetzij elektronisch, mechanisch, door fotokopieën, opnamen of enige andere manier zonder voorafgaande schriftelijke toestemming van Stichting Wageningen Research.Stichting Wageningen Research aanvaardt geen aansprakelijkheid voor eventuele schade voortvloeiend uit het gebruik van de resultaten van dit onderzoek of de toepassing van de adviezen.