More than a third of Dutch genus Gerbera growers now work with a unexampled biological dominance agent , the predatory bug Dicyphus Errans . At the Strawberry Day event , Wouter Mooij of Mooij Gewasbescherming talk about the winner of this innovation in gerbera finish . He also elaborated on what strawberry cultivator can learn from it , and which new challenge are emerging now that Dicyphus Errans is proving successful . In the transition from chemical to more biological diseases and pests control the rule often is : three steps onwards , one measure back .
Wouter Mooij at the Strawberry Day 2025
grandness banker plantAs the predatory microbe is not yet commercially uncommitted , growers work with the predatory glitch get banker plants in the greenhouse on which they cultivate the biologic ascendence broker themselves . Dicyphus errans thrives on Verbascum thapsus .
The use of gamey - quality auxiliary nutrient with Artemia ( dead brine runt vesicle ) or Ephestia ( desex eggs of meal moths ) also helps to build a sufficiently high population . Wouter have it away of examples where plants host 200 predatory bugs , quick to battle pests . The idea to use the predatory bug was adopted from Canada , where it is already used in vegetable crops , among others .
In late years , experience with the predatory glitch has been gained in the Netherlands , first in the WUR ’s greenhouse . Practical enjoyment soon follow . A lot was larn in two class , Wouter shared . From one agriculturalist in 2022 , practical use expanded to five growers in 2023 , and by 2024 , the predatory bug was widely used .
Banker plants in genus Gerbera finish , at Gerbera United during Kom in de Kas 2024
Family MacrolophusDicyphus errans is relate to the predatory bug Macrolophus . That plague is used in tomatoes , for example , to verify whitefly . The bill of fare of Dicyphus errans includes whitefly , wanderer mites , and echinotrips . Unlike Macrolophus , this newer predatory bug in the Netherlands sucks less on the plant and does not get peak price . This is important , peculiarly in a gerbera crop where flowers are sold , not fruits .
The new predatory hemipterous insect already lives outdoors in the Netherlands and can stand firm lower temperatures . This winter , the predatory germ will also be used on a large exfoliation in lighted craw .
More pesticides in IPM system reason vulnerabilityHowever , what Wouter has noticed is that with the reduction of chemical control , rather or subsequently , echinotrips or soft graduated table emerge in the harvest . A tricky point here is that in gerbera finish , various blocks alternate , and the greenhouse is never really empty . As a effect , pests , include whitefly , in secret remain present anyway , and pest pressure increases when conditions are right .
A worldwide observance Wouter apportion at the end of his presentation is that there are many pesterer to be reckoned with . Solutions are found to ensure them , however as the identification number of biologic comptroller increases the system also becomes more vulnerable . If there does need to be one intervention , there are many critters to reckon with . " The outbreak of one pest can tumble the IPM system , " he say .
For more information : Mooij Gewasbescherming[email protected]www.erikmooij.nl/
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