11.9.1 Advantages of Parasitoids in Biological Pest Management
• Specialized and host-specific.
• Parasitoids are efficient host searchers, can find their hosts even at low pest
densities and bring infestation level below economic thresholds.
• Parasitoids reduce the number of pests surviving to the next generation.
• They are compatible with other biological control agents (predators).
• Some parasitoids affect feeding behaviour, e.g. parasitized larvae eat less than
healthy ones, and are smaller than the host.
Fig. 11.5 Mode of action of parasitoids
Lady beetles
(Coccinellidae)
wasps
Fungus gnats
Fig. 11.6 Natural predators
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• Specialized and host-specific.
• Parasitoids are efficient host searchers, can find their hosts even at low pest
densities and bring infestation level below economic thresholds.
• Parasitoids reduce the number of pests surviving to the next generation.
• They are compatible with other biological control agents (predators).
• Some parasitoids affect feeding behaviour, e.g. parasitized larvae eat less than
healthy ones, and are smaller than the host.
Fig. 11.5 Mode of action of parasitoids
Lady beetles
(Coccinellidae)
wasps
Fungus gnats
Fig. 11.6 Natural predators
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