The Production, Handling and Distribution of the Whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum and its Parasite Encarsia formosa for use in Biological Control Programmes in Glasshouses

Abstract

SUMMARYA method of mass‐producing the glasshouse whitefly, Trialemodes vaporariorum, and its parasite Encarsia formosa on Nicotiana tabacun is described. Whiteflies of known age are produced for introducing into glasshouses before the introduction of the parasite. They are also produced for stock multiplication of the parasite. The production cycles of the adult parasite are 36 and 40 days respectively for stock multiplication and distribution on nurseries.The cool storage of parasite pupae for use in biological control programmes is discussed. 50–60 per cent emergence of parasite pupae occurs after 36–43 days if stored at 12–13°C. However if transferred to room temperature after 20 days, 70 per cent emergence may be expected after five days. Humidity in cool storage did not affect the survival of pupae.