Effects of the Elimination of Ultraviolet Rays on Major Pests of Tomato and Their Parasitoids

Abstract

We studied on the effects of the ultraviolet ray abosorbable films on occurrence and activity of Liriomyza trifolii, Bemisia argentifolii and their parasitoids: Diglyphus isaea, Dacnusa sibirica, Encarsia formosa and Eretmocerus californicus. In laboratory tests, all the tested insects avoided entering and/or staying in the UV ray eliminated space. In green-houses covered with UV ray absorbable films, D. isaea and E. formosa increased as in the greenhouse covered with a regular film.