Diglyphus begini (Ashm.), a biological control agent of the leaf miner Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanch.), has a two-fold effect on pest control: host-feeding and parasitism. The proportional effect of the two actions was studied in a commercial greenhouse facility with Gypsophila paniculata L. plants, export quality. Effects of host feeding were observed before the parasitism effects. By the end of the vegetative cycle of the crop, both mortality factors had a combined effect of 70% control of the leaf miner. After flowering, this control may reach 90% without the need of insecticides. It is emphasized that the predation effect is usually neglected in evaluations of monitoring and that the parasitoid actions is frequently underestimed.
Biological control; ornamental plant; parasitism; predation
