News » 09.05.2025 - Establishment and retention Helping natural enemies thrive in the greenhouse

 

How can the pest management system be made more robust to better address existing pests such as aphids and thrips? And what can be done about the rise of invasive stink bugs like Nezara that pose a threat to the sustainability of the pest management system? These questions are prevalent among many crop groups in horticulture. The four-year research project 'PPS Establishment and Retention of Predatory Bugs and Lacewings in Horticulture' aims to provide answers. The project officially began on April 24.

The new PPS is focusing on developing cultivation systems in which three groups of natural enemies can establish themselves: predatory shield bugs (especially Podisus maculiventris), lacewings, and Nabis predatory bugs. The goal of the project? Creating a 'standing army' with these predators to control a wide variety of pests.

Various Sub-areas
The PPS consists of various sub-areas that will sometimes be carried out simultaneously, but often consecutively. As an example, one of the research objectives is to gain more insight into the behavior of the predatory bug Podisus maculiventris in its different stages. What food source can you use to feed this predatory bug to improve its survival and activity in the greenhouse?

For lacewings, it is hypothesized that adding plants that produce sources of extrafloral nectar into the greenhouse may help. The use of kairomones and the creation of refuges can ensure that different types of lacewings can establish themselves better in crops such as peppers, strawberries, eggplants, gerberas, and kalanchoes.

Using Nabis predatory bugs is new in horticulture. Researchers will test which pests the Nabis predatory bugs target, as well as invstigating whether providing habitats and food can help establish these bugs in the greenhouse environment.

Additionally, it will be examined as to whether clear causes can be identified for the lesser establishment of Orius, focused on the pepper crop group.

Active Steering of the Research Project by the BCO
All crop groups co-financing this project attended the kickoff meeting. Research leader Gerben Messelink expressed his satisfaction with the active involvement and input from so many parties. "This demonstrates broad support across a wide range of crops for this type of research."

 

 

Source: www.floraldaily.com
 

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