BIOLOGICAL CONTROL - ENCARSIA FORMOSA PARASITOID OF GREENHOUSE WHITEFLY (TRIALEURODES VAPORARIORUM)

Abstract

In ecological agricultural production, such as integral and organic, beneficial insects are widely used and represent an indispensable segment of plant protection. Although almost completely controlled, the closed system of vegetable production is monitored by various types of harmful organisms, of which harmful insects attract the most attention. In contrast to conventional agriculture, which is based on the use of synthetic chemicals, in ecological agriculture biological agents are preferred in the process of controlling agricultural pests. In closed systems, the practice of biological control using the parasitoid Encarsia formosa has been developed and is one of the most successful examples of controlling the greenhouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum and the silverleaf whitefly Bemisia tabaci. The aim of the paper is to summarize the data of scientific research on the biological control of harmful insects, which are based on the possibility of controlled use and the importance of parasitoids, such as the parasitic wasp Encarsia formosa in the fight against the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum), thus representing an alternative and more environmentally friendly protection of vegetable crops indoor culture.