Institut für Pflanzenschutz in Gartenbau und Forst
Consumers are increasingly critical on the use of Plant Protection Products, but in open-field vegetable production and ornamentals, production without PPP is extremely challenging. Also in greenhouse production of vegetables, fast and effective beneficials against aphid colonies are needed. These needs are highest in ecological production due to the limited availability of effective authorized PPP. In this project the potential of Crabronids (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae), a beneficial class that is not yet used in plant protection, is evaluated. The main advantages of these beneficials are I. Their philopatry, which enables the use in open field vegetables, II. The informative character of the distribution system, that is similar to insect hotels and therefore ideal for teaching gardens and urban-gardening systems, and III. The clean removal of aphids from the plants by the Crabronids, which enables their application in leafy vegetables and ornamentals. In the project, we will first evaluate the habitat needs of the Crabronids and basic parameters of their efficiency as natural enemies of aphids. Aim of the project is then to construct a distribution station from wooden tubes filled with wood foam stocked with Crabronid larvae and can be used as a targeted plant protection measure to control aphids. For this distribution station, artificial breeding tubes are developed in the project. The station can specifically in ecological production systems act as an immediate measure against aphid colonies and potentially substitute the use of Oil and other contact insecticides in these situations.
Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture
