Parasitoid learning and intraguild predation and their effects on the biological control of aphids [Elektronische Ressource] / von Chantal Jazzar

Parasitoid Learning and Intraguild Predation and their Effects on the Biological Control of Aphids Von der Naturwissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover zur Erlangung des akademischen Grades eines Doktorin der Gartenbauwissenschaften - Dr. rer. hort. - genehmigte Dissertation von Chantal Jazzar (MSc) geboren am 01.01.1972 in Tripoli, Libanon 2007 Referent: Prof. Dr. Hans-Michael Poehling Korreferent: Prof. Dr. Felix Wäckers Tag der Promotion: 29.1.2007 To my everything and my everybody, to my Jesus Abstract iAbstract Optimising Parasitoid Learning as a Strategy to Enhance the Biological Control of Aphids in Protected Environment Chantal Jazzar Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) (Homoptera: Aphididae) are important cosmopolitan pests of vegetables and ornamentals in greenhouses. They are responsible for direct and indirect plant damage. Through extensive feeding, M. persicae and M. euphorbiae can interfere in quite dramatic ways with the growth processes of the plant. Indirect damage is linked to their proficiency in viral transmission. Because of their hidden feeding habit on the underside of the leaf, insecticidal control of those aphids with conventional sprayers is not warranted. M. persicae and M. euphorbiae resistance to several groups of insecticides has been observed.