Use of Encarsia formosa adults in biological control of Trialeurodes vaporariorum on glasshouse vegetable crops1

In Poland, where possibilities for complete microclimate regulation in glasshouses are limited and there is a relatively low degree of automation and computerization, satisfactory biological control of Trialeurodes vaporariorum with Encarsia formosa depends on precise and uniform release of the parasite in the glasshouse, as well as on rapid reaction to increasing pest numbers. This can be achieved by a method, developed in Poland and presented here, of using adults of E. formosa in specially prepared capsules. This paper reports on the principles for using E. formosa in capsules, and on the numbers and frequency of release of the parasite which are appropriate for different crops.