BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGAINST APHIDS IN STRAWBERRY USING A COCKTAIL OF PARASITOIDS

A cocktail of six species of parasitoids has been used to control aphids on strawberry in Switzerland and France in protected and soilless crops. The cocktail was developed by Viridaxis in Belgium and labeled FresaProtect. In Switzerland, this cocktail was tested during two years under tunnel on everbearing strawberries. The results after the first year proved the efficacy and vitality of FresaProtect, but the parasitoids release started too late in the season and the aphid population could not be brought under control. The second year, with parasitoids releases starting earlier in the season, the aphid population was under control. Four chemical treatments were applied in the control plot and none was needed in the trial tunnel. In France, this cocktail of parasitoids was tested during three years in heated greenhouses on everbearing strawberries in soilless culture. The first year, a cocktail of four species of parasitoids was not enough to control the aphid present, Rhodobium porosum. The second and third year, the cocktail contained six species of parasitoids. The aphid population was finally under control when the releases started before the aphids’ apparition (during the second year but not during the third year). The reasons for this difference will be discussed. FresaProtect is as easy to use as a chemical treatment and is an important tool in the IPM strategy.