ISHS Acta Horticulturae 347: II International Symposium on Integrated Fruit Production
ROLE OF TRANSFORMATION INHIBITORS IN FRUIT ECOSYSTEMS |
| Author: | S. Dorn |
| Abstract:
The depth of scientific knowledge concerning the usefulness of predatory arthropods together with the introduction of new selective plant protectants are key factors in the now rapidly progressing implementation of integrated fruit production (IFP) in Europe. Based on endocrinological findings on the regulation of insect metamorphosis, novel Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) have been developed which inhibit the natural transformation of certain pest insects. Fenoxycarb is the first and so far the only transformation inhibitor which has been introduced for use in European fruit crops. An important gap in integrated fruit production, the selective and reliable control of the tortrix moth complex, could be closed with fenoxycarb. Populations of the major predators of pear psyllids, the anthocorids, and of spider mites, the phytoseiids, are unaffected in the field by the IGR. As a consequence, the pear psyllids have again become manageable, and the introduction of predatory mites into the orchards has progressed well. Recent long term ecological studies of the orchard fauna demonstrate that native populations of parasitoids are rapidly restored after the introduction of the IGR for mining moth control and then they cope effectively with the insect pests. The given examples show that transformation inhibitors and native or introduced populations of predators and parasitoids can complement each other well. | |
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