Inundative release of Trichogrammatoidea lutea in apple and pear orchards treated with sterile codling moths

The use of biological control agents in conjunction with sterile insect release is known to be beneficial. In this study the release of a codling moth egg parasitoid, Trichogrammatoidea lutea was assessed in commercial apple and pear orchards.

Culture methods were assessed in the laboratory. Methods used to release the wasp and the distributionof the wasp in orchards over time were assessed. Monitoring was done using codling moth eggs on sentinel egg sheets placed in orchards.

Collection of wild T. lutea was successful and the method used was relatively simple. The maintenance of a laboratory culture was optimized. The development of a suitable field cage allowed for the continuous release of T. lutea in the field and was found to be highly successful. This is important as it allows for relatively high numbers of field adapted wasps to be produced. T. lutea performed well in commercial orchards as it established rapidly over a relatively wide area (>100meters in 10 days). The monitoring of orchards previously treated with T. lutea indicated that the wasps do not persist in orchards season to season.

T. lutea appears to be an effective biological control agent of codling moth. As such it can be used in conjunction with other codling moth management methods such as sterile insect release. The supply of this codling moth biological control agent on a commercial scale should be investigated.