Evaluation of Trichogramma cacaeciae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) and Blattisocius mali (Mesostigmata: Blattisociidae) in the Post-Harvest Biological Control of the Potato Tuber Moth (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae): Use of Sigmoid Functions

The potato tuber moth (PTM), Phthorimaea operculella, is the main pest in world, having managed to adapt a wide range of climatic conditions, and causing damage stored tubers. effectiveness biological control using parasitoid Trichogramma cacaeciae predatory mite Blattisocius mali was evaluated PTM under conditions that simulated those tubers storage. number adults found at end trial significantly higher (181.75 ± 11.00 adults/container) than treatments where B. (24.50 7.22) or T. (102.00 14.61) were released. control’s Abbot formula 86.52% for predator 43.88% parasitoid. In addition, population data fitted by logistic models, best fit simple function. Using generated from these functions, efficiencies 94.85% 73.77%, respectively. showed greater potential being incorporated into integrated management programs cacaeciae. Based on novel way estimating predators parasitoids also presented discussed.