Biological control using Episyrphus balteatus (De Geer) (Diptera: Syrphidae)

Poster (2010, May 18)

Augmentative biocontrol constitutes a safe way to reduce pest populations through the enhancement of natural enemies’ activity. In this context, the aphidophagous syrphid Episyrphus baltetaus (De Geer ... [more ▼]

Augmentative biocontrol constitutes a safe way to reduce pest populations through the enhancement of natural enemies’ activity. In this context, the aphidophagous syrphid Episyrphus baltetaus (De Geer) (Diptera: Syrphidae) is a promising candidate for aphid biological control: larvae of this syrphid attack and consume a wide range of aphid species and are found on many vegetable crops. Because natural populations of beneficials are not always sufficient to regulate the pest infestations, this work has focused on the conception of a biological control device containing syrphid eggs which can easily be introduced in fields or greenhouses. Using semiochemicals [E-(β)-farnesene, R-(+)-limonene and (Z)-3-hexenol], honeydews and “artificial honeydews” (10% or 30% aqueous solutions of sucrose, fructose and glucose), the syrphid oviposition was artificially induced on an inert surface. To test and validate the biological control device described above, laboratory and field experiments were performed: a plastic lamella covered with syrphid eggs was suspended on aphid infested plants in order to measure the efficiency of the device. The results obtained were promising since populations of 500 aphids were eliminated in ten days when 15 syrphid eggs were introduced. The use of such a biological control device could certainly contribute to aphid biological control strategies. [less ▲]

Particularities of Aphidius ervi embryo development and main limitations of its in vitro culture

Poster (2010, May 05)

Fast Gas Chromatography Characterisation Of Purified Semiochemicals From Essential Oils Of Matricaria Chamomilla L. (Asteraceae) And Nepeta Cataria L. (Lamiaceae)

in Journal of Chromatography. A (2009), 1216(14), 2768-2775

L’impact du miellat de puceron au niveau des relations tritrophiques entre les plantes-hôtes, les insectes ravageurs et leurs ennemis naturels

in Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement = Biotechnology, Agronomy, Society and Environment [=BASE] (2009), 13(2), 325-334

Tritrophic relations between plants, phytophagous insects and beneficials are based on the presence of chemical cues in the environment. In this context, honeydew (the aphid excretory product), rich in ... [more ▼]

Tritrophic relations between plants, phytophagous insects and beneficials are based on the presence of chemical cues in the environment. In this context, honeydew (the aphid excretory product), rich in sugars and amino-acids, constitutes a nutritional resource for beneficials but also acts as a volatile and a contact kairomone. On one hand, honeydew volatile chemicals cues guide beneficials to a food source, hosts or preys but also stimulate particular behaviors : searching, preys/hosts locations and attacks. On the other hand, a contact with honeydew induces the oviposition especially for syrphids (Episyrphus balteatus, …). The use of an artificial honeydew could be a way for enhancing the biological control efficiency in fields by increasing the number of beneficials but also the predation and parasitic rates. [less ▲]

Fast purification and characterisation of semiochemical compounds from essential oils of Matricaria chamomilla L. and Nepeta cataria L. using column chromatography fractionation and Ultra Fast GC analysis

Poster (2008, May)

La coccinelle à deux points (Adalia bipunctata), le chrysope commun (Chrysoperla carnea) et le syrphe ceinturé (Episyrphus balteatus), nos principaux prédateurs indigènes plutôt que la coccinelle asiatique (Harmonia axyridis) exotique et invasive dans nos écosystèmes

in L'Erable du CNB (2008)

Contribution à l'étude de la perception des métabolites secondaires d'origine végétale et aphidienne et de leurs impacts sur l'induction de la ponte du syrphe prédateur Episyrphus balteatus (DeGeer) (Diptera, Syrphidae)

Master's dissertation (2006)

The predator Episyrphus balteatus (DeGeer) (Diptera, Syrphidae), efficient in the biological control against the aphids is able to perceive most of the volatile compounds from plants and aphids. All these ... [more ▼]

The predator Episyrphus balteatus (DeGeer) (Diptera, Syrphidae), efficient in the biological control against the aphids is able to perceive most of the volatile compounds from plants and aphids. All these semiochemicals define the different relationships between the three trophic levels (plant-phytophagous-predator) and directly help E. balteatus, as other predators and parasitoids, to locate their prey. In this context, our study highlights the importance of plant and aphid semiochemicals in the foraging behavior of the predator E. balteatus. [less ▲]