Respecting biological balance within the viticultural ecosystem means prioritizing the natural suppression of pest populations within the vineyard—one of the principles of biological control. To this end IPM prohibits the use of pesticides known to harm beneficials,while encouraging cultural practices that preserve and/or promote their populations.
Beneficial organisms (including several insects, fungi, mites and birds, etc) can work in two manners: by predation, meaning by feeding directly on different stages of the pest (larvae, nymphs, or adults), or parasitically, which, over a longer or shorter time period, leads to the elimination of the pest. The following table lists the principal beneficials and how they interact with selected vineyard pests, with special attention to the parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera) and predatory phytoseiid mites.
Beneficial Organisms | Target Pests |
Coccinellidae (ladybug beetles) | Green leafhopper and mites |
Carabids or ground beetles (Coleoptera) | Lepidoptera larvae (caterpillars) and weevils |
Anthochorids or minute pirate bugs (heteroptera) | Green leafhopper and mites |
Mirids or plant bugs (heteroptera) | Green leafhopper and mites |
Chrysopids and hemerobiids or green or brown lacewings (neuropterans) | Mealybugs/scales (eggs and larvae) |
Coniopterygids or dusty wings | Mealybugs/scales |
Predatory cecidomyiids or gall midges | Mites and mealybugs |
Tachinid flies (parasitoids) | Lepidopterans (cutworms and grape berry moths) |
Predatory thrips (Thysanoptera) | Spider mites and eriophyid mites |
Parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera) | Mealybugs/scales and green leafhopper |
Phytoseiid mites (classical biocontrol) Typhlodromus pyri; Amblyseius aberrans; Typhlodromus phialatus; Amblyseius stipulatus; Typhlodromus californicus and Amblyseius cucumeris. | Spider mites and eriophyid mites |
(Adapted from P. Amaro (2001) - PAMAF 6077 Project - ISA/PRESS) Acidentes Climáticos e Fisiológicos