The mass rearing and utilization of Trichogramma to control lepidopterous pests: Achievements and outlook

The release of mass-produced egg parasites of the genus Trichogramma to control Lepidopterous pests has gained increasing attention in the last few years. About 18 different species of this egg parasite are being used to control pests on corn, sugar-cane, rice, soybean, cotton, sugar-beet, vegetables and pine. Some information on the global use of Trichogramma is given. Trichogramma evanescens(Westw.) has been used commercially to control the European corn borer Ostrinia nubilalis (Hb.) in Germany since 1980. The treated area reached about 6200 ha in 1992. The use of Trichogramma dendrolimi Matsumura to control the codling moth Cydia pomonella (L.) and the summer fruit tortrix moth Adoxophyes orana (F.R.) was started in 1990 and covered an area of c. 15 ha in 1992. Research is being carried out to select effective Trichogramma species to control other pests such as grape berry moth Eupoecilia ambiguella (Hb.), plum fruit moth Cydia funebrana Tr. and diamondback moth Plutella xylostella (L.).