Prospects for Integrating Augmentative and Conservation Biological Control of Leaffolders and Stemborers in Rice

Possibilities to combine augmentative biological control using Trichogramma spp. egg parasitoids and conservation through habitat manipulation, for the management of rice leaffolder stemborer pests have received only cursory mention in literature. We reviewed information on use releases manipulation manage leaffolders stemborers rice. Stemborers become a priority since 1990s with research focusing mainly Chilo suppressalis China Iran, Scirpophaga incertulas South Southeast Asia, agamemnon Egypt. In most cases, 100 K wasps (T. japonicum or T. chilonis) released over 30–100 release points ha−1 at least once during early crop stages, resulted good (>50% reduction damage). Despite positive results accumulated decades, larger scale been conducted very recently. Research has focused manipulating field habitat, particularly along bunds (levees). Several studies reported higher densities greater parasitism fields flowering plants compared (without bund vegetation usually insecticides). These trends attributed nectar as supplementary food adult wasps, although evidence this mechanism is weak. Trap plants, such vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) attract ovipositing stemborers, but suppress larval development. Repellent banker not yet identified leaffolders. outline opportunities challenges combining