THE EFFECTIVENESS OF BIOLOGICAL-CONTROL OF THE GLASSHOUSE WHITEFLY TRIALEURODES-VAPORARIORUM WESTWOOD (HOM, ALEYRODIDAE) BY ENCARSIA-FORMOSA GAHAN (HYM, APHELINIDAE)

Three methods of Trialeurodes control were tested: physical (chromoattractive) control using yellow traps, chemical control using the systemic insecticide Vydate and biological control with Encarsia formosa. Physical control was the fastest method, chemical control somewhat slower. Biological control was the slowest but the most successful once the whitefly population was reduced by the natural insecticide Savona when it reached a certain threshold. Parasitization was higher when starting with low initial whitefly population. An integrated whitefly control program based on a combination of these measures supplementing each other under Mediterranean conditions is presented.