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Insect Predators & Parasitoids in Cucurbits

Insect Predators & Parasitoids in Cucurbits

Elizabeth “Betsy” A. Boyd, PhDUC-Berkeley

Kearney Agricultural Center

Elizabeth “Betsy” A. Boyd, PhDUC-Berkeley

Kearney Agricultural Center

Background image courtesy of: aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/Texascrops/cucurbitsmeloncrops/wholewatermelon.jpg

RoadmapRoadmap

Background Information: Types of Insect Natural Enemies

Beneficial Predators and Parasitoids of Common Cucurbit Insect Pests

Where to get Natural Enemies

Background Information: Types of Insect Natural Enemies

Beneficial Predators and Parasitoids of Common Cucurbit Insect Pests

Where to get Natural Enemies

Three Classes of Insect Natural Enemies

Three Classes of Insect Natural Enemies

ParasitesParasitoidsPredators

ParasitesParasitoidsPredators

ParasitesParasites

Feed upon, but do not kill hostInternal or external developmentSpecific to a group of hosts

Feed upon, but do not kill hostInternal or external developmentSpecific to a group of hosts

ParasitoidsParasitoids

Gradually consume & kill hostDevelop internally or externallySpecific to one host or group of hosts

Gradually consume & kill hostDevelop internally or externallySpecific to one host or group of hosts

PredatorsPredators

Immediately kill & consume preyNot specific to a certain host

– Generalists: eat bad & sometimes good– Active Searching, Sit-and-Wait, Ambush

Immediately kill & consume preyNot specific to a certain host

– Generalists: eat bad & sometimes good– Active Searching, Sit-and-Wait, Ambush

Generalist Insect PredatorsGeneralist Insect Predators

Ladybird Beetles

Lacewings

Syrphid Flies

Ladybird Beetles

Lacewings

Syrphid Flies

True bugs

Flies

True bugs

Flies

Wasps

Predatory mites & thrips

Wasps

Predatory mites & thrips

Spiders

Praying Mantids

Lizards

Spiders

Praying Mantids

Lizards

Biological Control of Common Pests in Cucurbits

Biological Control of Common Pests in Cucurbits

Melon AphidsMelon Aphids

Melon Aphid ParasitoidsMelon Aphid ParasitoidsLysiphlebus sppLysiphlebus spp Aphidius sppAphidius spp

Diaeretiella sppDiaeretiella spp Aphelinus sppAphelinus spp

Melon Aphid Parasitoid Life Cycle

Melon Aphid Parasitoid Life Cycle

Melon Aphid Predators:Ladybird Beetles

Melon Aphid Predators:Ladybird Beetles

Melon Aphid Predators:Syrphid Flies (aka Hoverflies)

Melon Aphid Predators:Syrphid Flies (aka Hoverflies)

Melon Aphid Predators:Green Lacewings

Melon Aphid Predators:Green Lacewings

Melon Aphid Predators:Brown Lacewings

Melon Aphid Predators:Brown Lacewings

WhitefliesWhiteflies

Whitefly LifecycleWhitefly Lifecycle

Whitefly parasitoidsWhitefly parasitoids

Encarsia formosa

Eretmocerus sp

Encarsia formosa

Eretmocerus sp

Whitefly PredatorsWhitefly Predators

Big-eyed bugs, Geocoris sp

Minute Pirate Bugs

Big-eyed bugs, Geocoris sp

Minute Pirate Bugs

Whitefly PredatorsWhitefly Predators

Lacewings

Ladybird beetles

Lacewings

Ladybird beetles

Whitefly PredatorsWhitefly Predators

Delphastus pusillusDelphastus pusillus

Squash BugsSquash Bugs

Squash Bug ParasitoidsSquash Bug Parasitoids

Trichopoda pennipes

*Eumicrosoma beneficia (Scelionid)

Trichopoda pennipes

*Eumicrosoma beneficia (Scelionid)

LeafminersLeafminers

Leafminer ParasitoidsLeafminer Parasitoids

Diglyphus spp.

Cucumber BeetlesCucumber Beetles

Cucumber Beetle Predators & Parasitoids

Cucumber Beetle Predators & Parasitoids

Soldier Beetles

Tachinid fly, Celatoria diabroticae

– Not effective controls in California

Soldier Beetles

Tachinid fly, Celatoria diabroticae

– Not effective controls in California

Armyworms, Cutworms, Loopers

Armyworms, Cutworms, Loopers

Caterpillar ParasitoidsCaterpillar Parasitoids

Hyposoter exiguaeHyposoter exiguae

Caterpillar ParasitoidsCaterpillar Parasitoids

Microplitis brassicaeTrichogramma

pretiosum

Microplitis brassicaeTrichogramma

pretiosum

Caterpillar ParasitoidsCaterpillar Parasitoids

Tachinid fliesTachinid flies

Caterpillar PredatorsCaterpillar Predators

Lacewings

Ladybird beetles

Lacewings

Ladybird beetles

Caterpillar PredatorsCaterpillar Predators

True bugs Robber flies

Minute Pirate Bugs Wasps

True bugs Robber flies

Minute Pirate Bugs Wasps

Spider MitesSpider Mites

Spider Mite PredatorsSpider Mite Predators

Western predatory mite, Galendromus occidentalis

Phytoseiulus persimilisNeoseiulus californicusNeoseiulus cucumeris

Western predatory mite, Galendromus occidentalis

Phytoseiulus persimilisNeoseiulus californicusNeoseiulus cucumeris

Spider Mite PredatorsSpider Mite Predators

Six-spotted thrips, Scolothrips

sexmaculatus

Six-spotted thrips, Scolothrips

sexmaculatus

Spider Mite PredatorsSpider Mite Predators

Spider Mite Destroyer, Stethorus spp.Spider Mite Destroyer, Stethorus spp.

Now you know the Natural Enemies you want…

Now you know the Natural Enemies you want…

But where can you get them?But where can you get them?

Where to Purchase Natural Enemies?

Where to Purchase Natural Enemies?

University of Florida website:www.hos.ufl.edu/ProtectedAg/

NorthAmericanBeneficialSuppliers.htm

Local home and garden stores

University of Florida website:www.hos.ufl.edu/ProtectedAg/

NorthAmericanBeneficialSuppliers.htm

Local home and garden stores

Best Place to get Natural Enemies

Best Place to get Natural Enemies

A friend or neighbor’s garden! (with permission, of course)

A friend or neighbor’s garden! (with permission, of course)

Thank you!Thank you!

eaboyd@uckac.edueaboyd@uckac.edu

Squash Bug ParasitoidsSquash Bug Parasitoids

see Metcalf&Metcalf 1993 Destructive and Useful Insect…

Coleomegilla maculata (Coccinellidae) perhaps not found in CA

see Metcalf&Metcalf 1993 Destructive and Useful Insect…

Coleomegilla maculata (Coccinellidae) perhaps not found in CA