Aphelinidae as effective natural enemies of whiteflies are used under greenhouses
condition. Encarsia inaron (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) significantly
increased the mortality rate of immature stages of T. vaporariorum (Hosseini and
Pourmirza 2010). In mentioned above research, pre-immaginal mortality in the
presence of the parasitoid was 93.9%. The release of Encarsia formosa Gahan
(Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) against greenhouse whitefly (T. vaporariorum) on
white and pink gerbera can decrease the population of this pest beneath the economic
damage threshold (Seddigh and Kiani 2012). Encarisa formosa and Eretmocerus
eremicus Rose and Zolnerowich are efficient parasitoids to control of
T. vaporariorum and B. tabaci on greenhouse cucumber in Iran (Ardeh et al.
2014). Ebrahimifar et al. (2015) reported Eretmocerus delhiensis Mani as major
parasitoid on greenhouse whitefly, T. vaporariorum on tomato in greenhouses in
Iran. The number of eggs deposited by a single parasitoid (Encarsia acaudaleyrodis
Hayat), on B. tabaci on cucumber depended on the number of host individuals, the
maximum being 44.4 when the number of nymphs was 100 (Shishehbor and ZandiSohani 2011).
15.4.2.3 Pathogens
The application of two species of entomopathogenic nematodes includes
Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev) (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) and Heterorhabditis
bacteriophora Poinar (Nematoda: Heterorhabditidae) as a biological control agents
on second nymphal instars of T. vaporariorum on greenhouse cucumber result
significant mortality of this pest. Therefore, use both species of nematodes,
S. feltiae and H. bacteriophora was suggested against greenhouse whitefly on
cucumber in greenhouses in Iran (Rezaei et al. 2015).
15.4.3 Biological Control of Thrips
The efficiency of several important natural enemies has been evaluated to suppress
the populations of thrips on greenhouse crops in Iran. Also, there are a few
parasitoids and pathogens attack thrips in greenhouses. Some pathogens have also
potential to reduce thrips population.
15.4.3.1 Predators
Orius niger (Wolff) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) is an ideal predator to use as a
biological agent against T. tabaci in greenhouse crops which have enough pollen,
or when they are mixed with banker plants (Baniameri et al. 2006). Neoseiulus
barkeri Hughes and Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) are
predators of first instars larvae of thrips (F. occidentalis and T. tabaci) and to a
smaller extent, second instar larvae on ornamental crops in greenhouses (Malkeshi
15 Biological Control of Greenhouse Pests in Iran
563
condition. Encarsia inaron (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) significantly
increased the mortality rate of immature stages of T. vaporariorum (Hosseini and
Pourmirza 2010). In mentioned above research, pre-immaginal mortality in the
presence of the parasitoid was 93.9%. The release of Encarsia formosa Gahan
(Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) against greenhouse whitefly (T. vaporariorum) on
white and pink gerbera can decrease the population of this pest beneath the economic
damage threshold (Seddigh and Kiani 2012). Encarisa formosa and Eretmocerus
eremicus Rose and Zolnerowich are efficient parasitoids to control of
T. vaporariorum and B. tabaci on greenhouse cucumber in Iran (Ardeh et al.
2014). Ebrahimifar et al. (2015) reported Eretmocerus delhiensis Mani as major
parasitoid on greenhouse whitefly, T. vaporariorum on tomato in greenhouses in
Iran. The number of eggs deposited by a single parasitoid (Encarsia acaudaleyrodis
Hayat), on B. tabaci on cucumber depended on the number of host individuals, the
maximum being 44.4 when the number of nymphs was 100 (Shishehbor and ZandiSohani 2011).
15.4.2.3 Pathogens
The application of two species of entomopathogenic nematodes includes
Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev) (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) and Heterorhabditis
bacteriophora Poinar (Nematoda: Heterorhabditidae) as a biological control agents
on second nymphal instars of T. vaporariorum on greenhouse cucumber result
significant mortality of this pest. Therefore, use both species of nematodes,
S. feltiae and H. bacteriophora was suggested against greenhouse whitefly on
cucumber in greenhouses in Iran (Rezaei et al. 2015).
15.4.3 Biological Control of Thrips
The efficiency of several important natural enemies has been evaluated to suppress
the populations of thrips on greenhouse crops in Iran. Also, there are a few
parasitoids and pathogens attack thrips in greenhouses. Some pathogens have also
potential to reduce thrips population.
15.4.3.1 Predators
Orius niger (Wolff) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) is an ideal predator to use as a
biological agent against T. tabaci in greenhouse crops which have enough pollen,
or when they are mixed with banker plants (Baniameri et al. 2006). Neoseiulus
barkeri Hughes and Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) are
predators of first instars larvae of thrips (F. occidentalis and T. tabaci) and to a
smaller extent, second instar larvae on ornamental crops in greenhouses (Malkeshi
15 Biological Control of Greenhouse Pests in Iran
563