Efficacy of inoculative releases of Trichogramma ostriniae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) against European corn borer Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in field corn

On-farm evaluation of inundative biological control of Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) by Trichogramma brassicae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in three European maize-producing regions

“…Several studies have been performed worldwide, the majority in the United States, with an overall positive evaluation of the efficacy of mass release of Trichogramma spp. against corn borers in maize, alone or in combination with insecticide applications . However, to our knowledge, apart from some country‐specific studies, robust evidence of the sustainability of Trichogramma spp.…”

“…It is only by assessing the number of G2 egg masses that the time of T. brassicae release can be optimised. Ideally, the timing of egg parasitoid release should anticipate peak ECB oviposition . Asynchrony between parasitoid release and ECB oviposition activity can reduce parasitism efficiency .…”

Enhancing biological control of corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea and thrips through habitat management and inundative release of Trichogramma pretiosum in corn cropping systems

“…For example, percentage of O. nubilalis infested bell pepper fruits was significantly less in plots receiving releases of T. ostriniae and buckwheat inter-planted plots compared to non-release and monoculture plots (Russell and Bessin, 2009). Similarly, inoculative releases of T. ostriniae significantly reduced plant and corn ear damage caused by O. nubilalis compared to non-release plots in sweet corn (Hoffman et al, 2006;Wright et al, 2002). Similarly, the current study demonstrated that releases of T. pretiosum resulted in a significant increase in proportion of undamaged and moderately damaged corn ears, and a concomitant decrease in damaged corn ear yield caused by H. zea over sunn hemp intercropping and corn monoculture control treatments.…”

“…Studies have shown that the inoculative release (75,000 female wasps per hectare, at whorl stage) of Trichogramma ostriniae Pang and Chen resulted >40% parasitism per generation of O. nubilalis Pang egg masses, significantly higher than control plots in field corn and sweet corn fields (Gardner et al, 2007;Hoffman et al, 2006;Wright et al, 2001Wright et al, , 2002, and increased total generational mortality significantly . These studies suggested, although inoculative releases of T. ostriniae effectively suppress O. nubilalis infestation, refinement in timing, rate of release and frequency of release could enhance the benefits of using these parasitoids inoculatively.…”

Parasitoid inventarisation of European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner, 1796) and options for its biological control in Slovenia

“…In Europe, the parasitoid wasps are already released mainly against ECB on about 150 000 ha per year with the largest area in France (Meissle et al, 2010). Encouraging results of biological control of ECB also exist from Asia (Zhang et al, 2010) and North America (Hoffmann et al, 2002;Hoffmann et al, 2006). An important ECB parasitoid, Trichogramma brassicae Bezdenko, 1968, was only recently discovered in Slovenia by Bohinc et al, (2015).…”