Banker Plant Research Articles

TESTING BANKER PLANTS FOR PREDATOR INSTALLATION

ISHS XXVIII International Horticultural Congress on Science and Horticulture for People (IHC2010): International Symposium on Greenhouse 2010 and Soilless Cultivation TESTING BANKER PLANTS FOR PREDATOR INSTALLATION

Possibility of Tagetes patula L. for banker plants of Orius spp.

Possibility of Tagetes patula L. for banker plants of Orius spp.

Development and Implementation of an Environmentally Conscious System for Producing Cruciferous Vegetables by Small Farms in a Hilly and Mountainous Area of Western Japan

We report here on the development of a system for producing cruciferous vegetables without using chemical pesticides. This system enables small-scale farmers in hilly and mountainous areas in the western region of Japan to grow products of equivalent volume and quality to those produced by standard practices. The first steps in developing the system involved modifying and creating methods to protect cruciferous vegetables against insect pests. Crops were protected from flying pests, such as the white cabbage butterfly, cabbage armyworm, diamondback moth, cabbage sawfly, leafminer fly, cabbage bug, striped flea beetle, and brassica leaf beetle using a 0.6 mm mesh screen. Bacillus thuringiensis preparations, the use of which is permitted by Japanese Agricultural Standards for organic plants and organic processed foods of plant origin, were used to prevent damage caused by butterfly larvae, (white cabbage butterfly, cabbage armyworm, and diamondback moth) that hatch from eggs deposited on the outer surface of the screen through which they can invade. Invasion by crawling pests, such as the striped flea and brassica leaf beetles, was suppressed by covering the ground around the greenhouse with a mulching sheet to control weeds that form the habitat for these pests. Aphids passing through the 0.6 mm mesh screen were eliminated by a banker plant system employing the aphid parasite Diaeretiella rapae (McIntosh), a natural predator. Solarizing the soil before cultivation destroyed the pests' larvae, pupae, or eggs residing underground, such as those of the striped flea beetle and cutworm, while pest damage by vegetable weevils was prevented by inserting our newly invented traps just underground. The second step in developing the system involved dealing with higher greenhouse temperatures during summer that would result from the 0.6 mm mesh screen cover. To keep the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) around the worker within acceptable limits, a battery-powered ventilator consisting of a cart, fan, solar battery, and ordinary battery was used as well as installing simple roof windows, all of which effectively lowered the WBGTs. By combining these methods, we were able to demonstrate that the system was highly effective for producing quality cruciferous vegetables in greenhouses and in open fields.

Evaluation of corn plant as potential banker plant for supporting predatory gall midge, Feltiella acarisuga (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) against Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) in greenhouse vegetable production

The twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), is one of the most important and highly polyphagous pests of vegetables and other crops worldwide. Experiments were conducted in the laboratory and greenhouse to evaluate corn ( Zea mays L.) as a banker plant for the predatory gall midge, Feltiella acarisuga (Vallot) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) to potentially control T. urticae. Choice and no-choice experiments were carried out to determine the host plant preference of an alternative prey, Oligonychus pratensis (Banks)(Acari: Tetranychidae) to corn and green bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Results showed that O. pratensis adults strongly preferred corn as a host plant and posed no risk to green bean. F. acarisuga was found to fly at least 7.0 m to search for new preys on green bean plants, and over 176 F. acarisuga larvae per leaf were recorded at 14 d after dispersal. F. acarisuga proved to be an excellent predator of both T. urticae and O. pratensis. The predation by F. acarisuga to T. urticae and O. pratensis ranged from 43.7 to 67.9% and 59.2 to 90.3%, respectively, under laboratory conditions. In a non-cage study, 81.2% of T. urticae population was suppressed by F. acarisuga in reference to the control (cage treatment). The results showed that this banker plant system has potential for controlling T. urticae in greenhouse vegetable production.

Establishment of papaya banker plant system for parasitoid, Encarsia sophia (Hymenoptera: Aphilidae) against Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in greenhouse tomato production

The silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia tabaci biotype B (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is a key pest of tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) and other vegetable crops worldwide. To combat this pest, a non-crop banker plant system was evaluated that employs a parasitoid, Encarsia sophia (Girault & Dodd) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) with whitefly, Trialeurodes variabilis (Quaintance) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), as an alternative host for rearing and dispersal of the parasitoid to the target pest. (a) Multi-choice and no-choice greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine host specificity of T. variabilis to papaya ( Carica papaya L.) and three vegetable crops including tomato, green bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.), and cabbage ( Brassica oleracea L.). The result showed that papaya was an excellent non-crop banker plant for supporting the non-pest alternative host, T. variabilis, whose adults had a strong specificity to papaya plants for feeding and oviposition in both multi-choice and no-choice tests. (b) The dispersal ability of E. sophia was investigated from papaya banker plants to tomato and green bean plants infested with B. tabaci, as well as to papaya control plants infested with T. variabilis; and (c) the percent parasitism by E. sophia on T. variabilis reared on papaya plants and on B. tabaci infested on tomato plants was also evaluated. These data proved that E. sophia was able to disperse at least 14.5 m away from papaya plants to target tomato, bean or papaya control plants within 48–96 h. Furthermore, E. sophia was a strong parasitoid of both T. variabilis and B. tabaci. There was no significant difference in percent parasitism by E. sophia on T. variabilis (36.2–47.4%) infested on papaya plants or B. tabaci (29–45.9%) on tomato plants. Thus, a novel banker plant system for the potential management of B. tabaci was established using papaya as a non-crop banker plant to support a non-pest alternative host, T. variabilis for maintaining the parasitoid to control B. tabaci. The established banker plant system should provide growers with a new option for long-term control of B. tabaci in greenhouse vegetable production. Ongoing studies on the papaya banker plant system are being performed in commercial greenhouses.

The Banker Plant Method in Biological Control

In the banker plant method, long-lasting rearing units for beneficials are created in the crop by distributing plants infested with herbivores or carrying other food items, such as pollen. The method has been widely investigated over many years and used to aid establishment, development and dispersal of beneficial organisms employed in biological control. In this review, we refine the definition of the banker plant method based on previous concepts and studies and offer the term “banker plant system” to describe the unit that is purposefully added to or established in a crop for control of pests in greenhouses or open field. The three basic elements of a banker plant system (banker plant, food source, beneficials) are discussed and illustrated with examples, and the diversity of banker plant systems (classified by target pest) used or investigated is documented. The benefits of using banker plant systems, such as low cost, increased freshness of beneficials, possibility for preventive control and for integration within IPM frameworks, make the method an interesting plant protection option with potential to enhance adoption of biological control in pest management programs.

Biological control of aphids in sweet pepper greenhouses using the banker plant system for aphidophagous gall midge, Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

The efficiency of the banker plant system that used the aphidophagous cecidomyiid Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani) in controlling aphids on greenhouse sweet peppers (Manganji-Togarashi) was evaluated in Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture. To establish an A. aphidimyza population, sorghum and Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner) were used as the banker plant and alternative prey, respectively. Pest aphids on sweet pepper plants were suppressed more effectively in greenhouses using the sorghum banker plant system than in those using the wheat banker plant system. In a greenhouse with the sorghum banker plant system, in which A. aphidimyza was released at four times, A. aphidimyza population was maintained for three months at the level required to suppress these pests.

파프리카의 겨울작형 시설재배에서 천적을 이용한 해충 밀도억제 효과

겨울작형 시설재배 파프리카에 주로 발생하는 4종의 해충에 대한 천적이용 효과를 조사하였다. 꽃노랑총채벌레(Frankliniella occidentalis) 방제를 위해 미끌애꽃노린재(Orius laevigatus)를 2005년 11월과 2006년 2월에 2회에 걸쳐 <TEX>$m^2$</TEX>당 3.3마리를 방사하여 꽃노랑총채벌레 밀도를 트랩 당 2.0마리 이내로 억제하였다, 담배가루이(Bemisia tabaci) 방제를 위해 지중해이리응애(Amblyseius swirskii)를 2007년 11월부터 2008년 8월까지 4 회에 걸쳐 <TEX>$m^2$</TEX>당 232.3마리를 방사하여 담배가루이 밀도가 7월 말까지 트랩 당 6.6마리 이내로 억제되었으며, 8월 하순부터 담배가루이 성충이 외부에서 온실내로 급격히 많은 수가 유입되었으나 작기종료로 피해는 없었다. 차응애(Tetranychus kanzawai) 방제를 위해 칠레이리응애(Phytoseiulus persimilis)를 2008년 4월부터 2008년 8월까지 7회에 걸쳐 <TEX>$m^2$</TEX>당 44.5마리를 방사하여 차응애 밀도를 잎 당 1.7마리 이내로 억제하였는데, 이는 담배가루이 천적인 지중해이리응애도 차응애를 포식하였기 때문이다. 전딧물 방제를 위해 진디벌뱅커플랜트를 <TEX>$660m^2$</TEX>당 5.5포트와 콜레마니진디벌(Aphidius colemani)을 2004년 10월부터 2005년 1윌까지 7회에 걸쳐 <TEX>$m^2$</TEX>당 9.5마리를 방사하여 진딧물 밀도를 잎 당 2마리 이내로 억제하였다. This study reports the results of natural enemy application against four insect pests on greenhouse sweet pepper in winter cropping system. Orius laevigatus (<TEX>$3.3/m^2$</TEX>) was released at two different times (Nov. 2005 & Feb. 2006) to control Frankliniella occidentalis, western flower thrips (WFT). Throughout the cropping season, the lowest level recorded of WFT was less than 2.0 individuals per yellow sticky trap. Amblyseius swirskii (<TEX>$232.3/m^2$</TEX>) was released four times (Nov. 2007 ~ Aug. 2008) to control Bemisia tabaci, tobacco whitefly (TWF). Until July 2008, TWF population had been suppressed lower than 6.6/trap. Phytoseiulus persimilis (<TEX>$44.5/m^2$</TEX>) was released seven times (Apr. 2008 ~ Aug. 2008) to control Tetranychus kanzawai, tea red spider mite (TRSM). As a result, TRSM population was suppressed lower than 1.7/1eaf. To control aphids, Aphidius colemani (<TEX>$9.5/m^2$</TEX>) was released seven times (Oct. 2004 ~ Jan. 2005), with the transplantation of banker plants (<TEX>$5.5pot/660m^2$</TEX>). As a whole, aphid's population has been successfully reduced to less than 2.0/leaf.

Vegetable Insect Identification and Management - Florida Greenhouse Vegetable Production Handbook, Vol 3

Revised! HS798, a 24-page guide by S. E. Webb and R. C. Hochmuth, provides instruction in management and control of insects and mites in greenhouse vegetable production — crop scouting and monitoring, identification of insects and mites, record keeping, management strategies and tactics, banker plant system, insecticides and miticides, storage of pesticides, safety, and control of specific greenhouse pests. Includes related literature. Published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, June 2010. HS798/CV274: Vegetable Insect Identification and Management—Florida Greenhouse Vegetable Production Handbook, Vol 3 (ufl.edu)

Impact of secondary parasitism on Aphidius colemani in the banker plant system on aphid control in commercial greenhouses in Kochi, Japan

In order to elucidate the impact of secondary parasitism on a banker plant system, aphid parasitoids on banker plants were surveyed for four years in commercial greenhouses producing eggplant and sweet pepper in Kochi Prefecture, Japan. A banker plant system using Aphidius colemani was introduced into the greenhouses in November or December for the control of pest aphids from February through May. The mean rate of secondary parasitoids to total parasitoids on the alternative host aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) on banker plants was less than 35% in the early season. In March or April, the mean rate exceeded 40%, and was more than 70% by May or June. Three main species of secondary parasitoids, Alloxysta sp. nr victrix, Dendrocerus laticeps and Syrphophagus sp., occurred throughout the season. In addition, Asaphes suspensus and Pachynouron aphidis occurred later in the season. In greenhouses where the banker plant system of aphid control failed, the increase of secondary parasitism on banker plants was sharper than in greenhouses with successful aphid control. In March and April, the higher rates of secondary parasitism on banker plants had a significant influence on the failure of aphid control.

Performance of eighteen tetranychid mite species (Acari: Tetranychidae) on borage and strawberry

Borage (Borago officinalis L.) is anticipated as a banker plant in strawberry greenhouses to adopt integrated aphid management, because borage has a stimulatory influence on parasitoid wasps attacking aphids. However, before actually using borage, we had to answer the following question: will borage become a hotbed for spider mites? To investigate this, host plant suitability and acceptance by 18 tetranychid mite species were tested on borage and strawberry leaves. The mites were two Panonychus species, two Eotetranychus species and 14 Tetranychus species, including the green and red forms of T. urticae that were counted as separate species. Borage appeared an unsuitable host, because females of all 18 mite species did not lay eggs, females of most species could not survive for more than 5 days, and larvae of all 18 mite species did not develop to nymphal stages on borage. Conversely, strawberry was a suitable host for 13 of the 18 spider mite species: females laid eggs and about 90% of larvae successfully reached adulthood. Thus, these13 species have the potential to become pests of strawberry. Offering female spider mites the choice between interconnected borage and strawberry leaf discs, (1) most females moved from borage to strawberry except for the two Panonychus species and E. asiaticus, and (2) few females moved from strawberry to either borage or strawberry. Consequently, it is highly unlikely that borage will become a hotbed for any of the spider mite species.

Borago officinalis attracts the aphid parasitoid Aphidius colemani (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Aphid parasitoids are often observed to gather around borages (Borago officinalis) used as banker plants in strawberry greenhouse. The attraction of Aphidius colemani as a model aphid parasitoid was observed in response to borage. An aphid generalist parasitoid, A. colemani, shows a preference based on their experience after hatching from mummies of the host-plant volatiles on which their host aphids are reared. A. colemani colonies reared on three host plant-aphid systems (borage/green peach aphid; Japanese radish/green peach aphid; barley/oat bird cherry aphid). A 4-arm olfactometer was used to test the preference of female A. colemani for several plants (infested Japanese radish; infested barley; infested, uninfested and mechanically-damaged borage). Females from each group showed a preference for the plant on which their hosts had been reared and also infested borage regardless of the host plant/aphid system. These results suggested that volatiles from aphid-infested borage attract A. colemani.

Introducing barley as aphid reservoir in sweet-pepper greenhouses: Effects on native and released hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae)

Habitat management is a form of conservation biological control, that includes strategies such as the provision of alternative prey for natural enemies. One example is the strategy, which consists of introducing cereals with aphids in horticultural crops. It is usually combined with parasitoid releases. In this work we evaluated whether aphid-infested barley as enhances native populations of aphidophagous syrphids and extends the residence time of Episyrphus balteatus (De Geer) following release. The work was performed in four replicated sweet-pepper commercial greenhouses in the southeast of Spain. Barley was sown, and infested with the aphid Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch). Visual censuses were performed to record released individuals of E. balteatus (marked on the thorax before release) and naturally occurring hoverflies. At the end of the experiment leaf samples were taken to the laboratory, and the immature syrphids were reared for identification. The occurrence of syrphids that come from outside the greenhouse was significantly increased by the presence of the infested barley plants. From a total of 506 observations of adult native syrphids, 81% were Sphaerophoria rueppellii (Wiedemann). We did not find significant differences between control plots and those provided with banker plants in their probabilities to retain released specimens of E. balteatus. Of the syrphids collected at immature stages from the barley leaves, we did not record any E. balteatus, and 100% of the specimens were identified as S. rueppellii. We conclude that the banker plant strategy is effective in attracting natural populations of syrphids into sweet pepper greenhouses, but not in keeping released individuals of E. balteatus in the greenhouses long enough to lay eggs. We suggest that the E. balteatus release method should be amended.

Greenhouse Trials of Aphidius Colemani (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) Banker Plants for Control of Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Greenhouse Spring Floral Crops

Banker plants with Aphidius colemani Viereck were tested in greenhouses in Massachusetts and New York for control of cotton aphid Aphis gossypii Glover, and green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) on 2 spring flower crops, pansies (Viola tricolor hortensis) and Marguerite daisies (Argyranthemum hybrid). Banker plants consisted of pots of barley plants infested with the bird cherry-oat aphid Rhopalosiphum padi (L.), inoculated at the start of the crop with adults of A. colemani purchased from a commercial insectary. Initial trials were conducted in University of Massachusetts greenhouses containing flats of the crop plants. Sentinel plants in flats were infested uniformly with aphids, and particular greenhouses were subjected to the presence of banker plants or left as controls. Prior to University trials, a survey was conducted in commercial greenhouses in Massachusetts and New York to determine the frequency and species of aphid infestation in spring flower crops. After University trials, the efficacy of banker plants was tested in commercial greenhouses in both states. In surveys of commercial greenhouses, M. persicae was the most frequently detected species, accounting for 53% of all infestations. In University greenhouse trials, in absence of parasitism, A. gossypii increased fastest on daisy, followed by M. persicae on daisy, M. persicae on pansy, and A. gossypii on pansy. Parasitoid suppression of population increase was strongest for A. gossypii on daisy and poorest for M. persicae on pansy. The presence of 2 aphid species in the same greenhouse did not alter the level of biological control in our trial. In commercial greenhouses, banker plants failed to control M. persicae deployed on infested pansies as sentinel hosts. In the laboratory, a 12-h exposure to dried residues of pyriproxyfen or pymetrozine, insecticides commonly used to control aphids, reduced survival of A. colemani adults, compared to a water control (82% survival), to 71% and 53%, respectively. Adult parasitoid emergence from pesticide-treated aphid mummies was reduced from 68% for the controls to 56% for pyriproxyfen and 62% for pymetrozine.

Control of Foxglove Aphid, Aulacorthum solani, in Soybean Using Living Mulch Barley as Banker Plant

Control of Foxglove Aphid, <I>Aulacorthum solani</I>, in Soybean Using Living Mulch Barley as Banker Plant

Ecological considerations for biological control of aphids in protected culture

AbstractSeveral braconid and aphelinid parasitoids, midges, lacewings, and ladybird beetles are used to control aphids in greenhouses. Here, I review three topics as ecological bases for the biological control of aphids in a protected culture: the preliminary evaluation of biological control agents, natural enemy release strategies, and the effects of intraguild predation (IGP) on biological control. A comparison of several parasitoid species was conducted to select agents for the biological control of aphids; the intrinsic rate of natural increase was a useful criterion in the preliminary evaluation. To compare predators as biological control agents, the aphid‐killing rate must be considered as a critical criterion, rather than reproductive criteria. The banker plant system (open rearing system) is used as a release method for Aphidius colemani and other natural enemies of aphids. Continuous release of parasitoid adults, which is the important characteristic of this method, has a stabilizing effect on population fluctuation in the aphid–parasitoid system. Two species of natural enemies can be used to control aphids in greenhouses. When one parasitoid and one predator are used simultaneously in a greenhouse, IGP of the parasitoid by the predator can occur, but the effect of IGP is less important in greenhouses than in the field.

Augmentative biological control of whiteflies using transplants

Field studies showed that transplants can be used to move parasitoids into fields of commercially grown cantaloupe, Cucumis melo (Cucurbitaceae), and augment parasitism of sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci biotype B (= Bemisia argentifolii) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). Methods were developed to inoculate cantaloupe seedlings with newly imported Eretmocerus spp. (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), then transfer plants into both organic and conventional fields of cantaloupe in the desert growing region of southeastern California. Several obstacles to inoculating “banker plants” with an adequate number of parasitized whiteflies were overcome and numbers of parasitoids per transplant increased. In 1999 the use of banker plants was compared to a standard hand-release method and a no-release control in a replicated study at an organic farm. Augmentation through releases of parasitoids increased parasitism over that in the no-release controls (p <0.05). Banker plants increased the proportion of parasitized whiteflies more than the hand-release method (0.21 vs. 0.08). During a region-wide demonstration spring 2000, plots receiving banker plants significantly increased parasitism over paired control plots at seven commercial farms of cantaloupe. Parasitism in banker plant treated plots in 2000 was higher in organic fields (seasonal average =0.30) than conventional ones (seasonal average =0.06). Differences may be due to the use of imidacloprid, a systemic insecticide, in conventional fields for whitefly control. Over the 2-year study, however, releases of parasitoids did not consistently reduce densities of B. tabaci. Only in late season at some sites in 2000 were whitefly densities lower in release plots than paired controls. Most of the parasitoids recovered and identified from plots receiving parasitoids were the same as those released, Eretmocerus spp. (ex. Ethiopia M96076), and E. hayati(M95012, ex. Pakistan).

Application of Aphidius colemani Viereck for Control of the Aphid in Greenhouse

Parasitism of parasitoid Aphidius colemani Viereck in Rhopalosiphum padi and its control efficacy against green peach and cotton aphids were studied in greenhouse. The number of mummies was the highest in 1-day old nymphs and the lowest in 7-day old aphids. The mummy produced by 1 female was 105.5 and 71 individuals at 25 and 20°C, respectively. No mummy was observed at 15 and 30°C. So, condition for parasitism of A. colemani involved about 25°C to 20°C as a temperature and young aphid instar. Application of banker plant for release and maintenance of the parasitoid resulted in effective and economic control of green peach and cotton aphids in watermelon-, red pepper-, and cucumber-greenhouses.

Banker Plants: Evaluation of Release Strategies for Predatory Mites

Abstract Spider mites (Tetranychidae) are among the most injurious pests of commercial landscape plant nurseries. The introduction of predaceous mites (Phytoseiidae) into nursery crops for control of spider mites can be an effective alternative to pesticides. We sought to evaluate the use of banker plants as a method of rearing and dispersing predatory mites for the control of spider mites in landscape nursery systems. Banker plants include any plant addition that aids in development and dispersal of predators for control of herbivorous pests. Addition of the predatory mite Neoseiulus fallacis (Garman) into spider mite infested arborvitae and rhododendron banker plants held in replicated greenhouse cubicles resulted in more predatory mites dispersing to spider mite infested plants downwind than were originally inoculated. To improve persistence and subsequent dispersal of predatory mites in an arborvitae banker plant, we evaluated the use of adding supplemental prey (spider mites) and applying a portion of the plant foliage with a pyrethroid to provide a refuge for the prey. Reintroduction of prey increased the dispersal duration of N. fallacis but the pyrethroid-based refuge did not. Predatory mites dispersing from arborvitae banker plants of approximately 1.25 m (4.1 ft) tall were collected from receiver plants at 10, 20 and 30 m (10.9, 21.9 and 32.8 yd) down wind. Integration of a banker plant system into a landscape nursery operation is discussed.

Development of Parasitoid Inoculated Seedling Transplants for Augmentative Biological Control of Silverleaf Whitefly (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

Methods are presented for producing banker plants, transplants that are used for augmentation of Eretmocerus parasitoids for biological control of Bemisia argentifolii in cucurbit crops. Preference tests were conducted with B. argentifolii and its parasitoid Eretmocerus hayati for ten cantaloupe varieties to determine their suitability for use as banker plants. Bemisia argentifolii showed a significant preference for the varieties Copa de Oro and Mission, whereas, E. hayati showed the greatest preference for Copa de Oro, Mission and Primo. The impact of imidacloprid on the development of parasitoid immatures on banker plants was evaluated. Thirteen days after release of E. hayati, banker plants treated with imidacloprid produced equivalent numbers of parasitoids as did control plants. Field trials, incorporating the use of banker plants and imidacloprid, were conducted for two seasons in spring cantaloupes and one season in fall watermelons. Numbers of parasitoid progeny produced per cantaloupe banker plant were approximately 94.6 and 102.1 in two trials during the Spring of 1997 and 1998. Field release rates per acre in cantaloupe were estimated to be 68,946 and 29,970 for the 1997 and 1998 trials, with banker plants incorporated with regular transplants at a ratio of 1:10 and 1:30 respectively. In the watermelon trial, the mean number of parasitoid progeny produced per banker plant was determined to be 94.6, with an estimated 4156 released per acre with a ratio of 1:30 banker to regular transplants. Banker plants were shown to be a reliable method for field delivery of Eretmocerus parasitoids in transplanted and direct seeded cantaloupe or watermelon crops. The methods used to produce parasitoid inoculated banker plants are discussed.