Hymenopteran Parasitoids and Their Role in Biological Control of Vegetable Liriomyza Leafminers

Abstract

Many Liriomyza leafminers are economically important pests of vegetables, ornamentals and field crops worldwide. At present, chemical insecticides are still the most common method for leafminer control worldwide. The effectiveness of these insecticides has been dogged by their indiscriminate use, impact on natural enemies and the development of resistance to several groups of insecticides and their natural enemies are eliminated by overuse and misuse of insecticides. Extensive investigations of natural enemies of Liriomyza have been conducted worldwide, and more than 150 species of hymenopteran parasitoids have been reported. Several species of parasitoids have been commercially mass-reared and used for biological control of some important Liriomyza species on ornamental and vegetable crops under protected environmental conditions. Conservation biological control promoting natural control and using biorational management strategies should be harmoniously integrated in leafminer management programs.