Biological control with useful insects and mites in vineyards for both table and wine grapes is essential to control key phytophagous insects such as mealybugs.
The reason behind the increasing development of biological control in these contexts is due to the increasingly evident difficulties in the containment of phytophagous insects with chemicals alone, caused by the recognized phenomenons of resistance when active principles are used repeatedly.
Parasitoid Anagyrus pseudococci
"To this, we must add the need to obtain a production with high phytosanitary safety standards without undesired residues. In the case of organic vineyards, the possibility of performing treatments solely with natural products with pesticide and knockdown effects (e.g. oil and natural pyrethrum) has strong negative impacts on the useful insect population, so crop management can only be performed using these products repeatedly and hindering any possibility of finding a natural balance between useful and phytophagous insects," explains Stefano Foschi from Bioplanet.
"Experimental observations and application experiences over the past five years enabled us to define a control technique using parasitoids and specific predators."
"The base for the control is the early introduction of parasitoid Anagyrus pseudococci. This hymenoptera is local to the Mediterranean basin and therefore well-adapted to our environmental conditions. It lays its eggs on Planococcus vitis nymphs as well as on immature or even pregnant females.The key to the success is the possibility of introducing the parasitoid in late spring before mealybugs reveal their virulence."
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, mealybug predator
This means useful insects settle and reproduce/propagate at the same time as mealybugs, preventing them from reaching harmful levels. Specific introductions are carried our with Cryptolaemus montrouzieri in case of outbreaks. These insects actively predate all mealybug stages and lay their eggs near the preys.
"A close cooperation between the technicians of the facilities supplying useful insects and company managers is essential, as prompt interventions can greatly affect final results. We need to bear in mind useful insects are a technical tool made of living material that must be distributed as soon as possible, as the vitality and capability of reproducing and settling is higher the lower the stress levels endured by the insects.".
Contacts: 
Bioplanet
Via Masiera I, 1195
47522 Cesena
Email: info@bioplanet.it
Website: www.bioplanet.it