Description These 3 mm. mini-wasps are best used for preventing the establishment of several leafminer species. They can also tackle minor infestations. And, if established, they can adequately protect a crop throughout the season. D. sibirica,, which are shipped as pre-emerged, pre-fed adults, are the product of choice when leafminers are first seen, or soon expected to be seen, in a cooler area. They do best in cooler conditions. Some of the several species which can be controlled with these parasitoids include the Florida, chrysanthemum or serpentine leafminer (Liriomyza trifolii), the tomato leafminer (L. bryoniae) and many others of economic importance.
Life-style
These parasitoids work by laying eggs directly into the larvae of leafminers. And they can lay up to 72 eggs, killing a like number of the larvae. They do this while the larvae are working in their mines or tunnels. These mines are created as the larvae consume the leaf's mesophyll (the cells which make the center of the leaf sandwich). The wasps' larvae which emerge from the eggs slowly weaken and kill the Leafminer larvae from within (endoparasitism). All this happens after the Leafminer larvae falls to the ground and pupates. Instead of a new Leafminer adult emerging, the parasitoid Dacnusa siberica emerges to begin the cycle all over again.
The life-span of these parasitoids is roughly 2 weeks in their immature stages, then 1 week as adults. The conditions for optimum performance will be between 55-75°F with a relative humidity of around 70%. But these are optimum conditions, and not necessarily a prerequisite of successful implementation. Please note, however, significantly cooler [colder] or warmer temperatures and humidity fluctuations may hamper reproduction and development a certain degree.
Benefits
The life-cycle of these parasitoids is considerably shorter than that of their hosts. They can, therefore, overwhelm the pests in a matter of time with few, if any, other considerations. Patience is it. Under most conditions these mini-wasps will prosper and come out on top.
As described under Life-style, the tunneling which occurs is the damage of importance. It creates a visual eyesore. These parasitoids will help lessen the immediate damage, but they can't reverse the damage [that's why these wasps are a good late-winter/early-spring preventive]. The main benefit, however, if used when leafminers are present, is to diminish the number of future pest generations.
If bad enough, the mines can become more than just a visual problem, they can hinder the plants' photosynthesis. They can kill a plant! Therefore, ornamental crops are not the only applicable crops to use these on. Vegetables, too, are a candidate.
Dacnusa siberica are superb preventive agents, thus offering growers a potential money-saving tool. Additionally, they can establish themselves in nearly any situation. Unless things get too hot. (For warmer situations, see Diglyphus isaea) Once established, growers might be able to reduce the size of releases made due to the presence of on-site wasps: another money-saver.
D. siberica, being shipped as adults, offer the benefit of fast oviposition or egg-laying. And they can do this is in temperatures so low that many other biocontrol agents would stop in their tracks.
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