Biocontrol Agents

Eretmocerus spp

General Information

All wasps in the genus Eretmocerus are parasitoids of whiteflies. E. eremicus (native to North America) and E. mundus (native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region) are the only two species sold commercially.

E. eremicus is more effective against Bemisia (Bemisia tabaci) but can also provide good control of GWF (Trialeurodes vaporariorum). E. mundus is specific to and very effective against Bemisia; it will not provide control of GWF.

Description

Adult Eretmocerus resemble Encarsia in size (approximately 0.5-0.6 mm long) but are entirely yellow (Figure 1). This wasp has a sex ratio of approximately 1:1 (male:female). This is different from Encarsia, where most individuals are female.

Parasitized whiteflies are a slightly different colour compared with unparasitized whiteflies. GWF pupae turn a distinct yellowish colour and Bemisia become brownish-yellow (Figure 2A, Figure 2B). The differences are not as dramatic as occurs when Encarsia parasitizes GWF but they are still quite obvious.

Biology

Adults live for 1-2 weeks and lay approximately 100-200 eggs during their lifetime. The majority of these eggs are laid within the first few days after emergence from their pupal cases (Figure 3.). These numbers however are quite variable and depend on a number of factors such as temperature, host whitefly (e.g. GWF or Bemisia) and host plant of the whitefly. See references1,2,3,4,5.

Although these wasp species will host feed on all 4 whitefly instars, they prefer to parasitize 2nd and 3rd instars1, laying their eggs underneath the larvae. The wasp larva then enters the whitefly after hatching. The effectiveness of this wasp is due to both parasitism and host feeding by the adult. Host feeding is necessary for egg development and an individual Eretmocerus female can kill up to 30 GWF nymphs/day in this way5.

Factors Affecting

GH Ornamentals

In ornamental crops, Eretmocerus are widely used in poinsettia where Bemisia is the predominant species and Encarsia is not as efficient. In Ontario, Canada, growers are divided in their use of E. eremicus vs E. mundus in this crop. Which BCA a grower uses is usually based on the recommendations of their biocontrol supplier. Both Eretmocerus species appear to be very effective, however, it is critical for cuttings to be clean at the start of the crop. Growers should introduce Eretmocerus as soon as cuttings are brought into the greenhouse, but monitor the plants closely for the presence of whitefly. If whitefly can be found easily in the first 2-3 weeks, then the biocontrol program may need to be reconsidered. In other crops such as gerbera where GWF predominates, E. eremicus is often used in combination with Encarsia or other BCAs such as Delphastus.

GH Vegetables

In Ontario, many vegetable growers start the season with Encarsia, then use a combination of Encarsia and Eretmocerus, followed by just Eretmocerus during the warmer months. The positive experience in tomatoes with Eretmocerus has resulted in some operations using this parasitoid exclusively.

References

1Headrick D.H., Bellows, T.S. and Perring T.M. 1999. Development and reproduction of a population of Eretmocerus eremicus(Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) on Bemisia argentifolii (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae).

2Greenberg, S.M., Jones, W.A. and Liu T.-X. 2002. Interactions among two species of Eretmocerus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), two species of whiteflies (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), and tomato. Environmental Entomology. 31(2): 397-402.

3Greenberg S.M., Legaspi, Jr. B.C., Jones W.A. and Enkegaard A. 2000. Temperature-dependent life history of Eretmocerus eremicus(Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) on two whitefly hosts (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). Environmental Entomology 29(4): 851-860.

4 Urbaneja A., Sanchez E. and Stansly P.A. 2007. Life history of Eretmocerus mundus a parasitoid of Bemisia tabaci, on tomato and sweet pepper. BioControl 52: 25-39

5Malais M.H and Ravensberg W.J. 2003. In Knowing and Recognizing: The biology of glasshouse pests and their natural enemies. Koppert BV, Berkel en Rodenrijs, The Netherlands and Reed Business Information, Doetinchem, The Netherlands.

6Zilahi-Balogh G.M.G., Shipp J.L., Cloutier C. and Brodeur J. 2006. Influence of light intensity, photoperiod and temperature on the efficacy of two aphelinid parasitoids of the greenhouse whitefly. Environmental Entomology 35(3): 581-589.

7Urbaneja A. and Stansly P.A. 2004. Host suitability of different instars of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci “biotype Q” for Eretmocerus mundus. BioControl 49: 153-161