Integrated biological control strategies for greenhouse whitefly and leafminer pests
Research-based pest management solutions combining predator bugs, parasitoids, and sterile insect techniques to suppress greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) and tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta) in greenhouse crops, offering sustainable alternatives to chemical pesticides.
Overview
This research program develops integrated biological control strategies for two major greenhouse pests: the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) and the tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta). The approach combines the predatory bug Tupiocoris cucurbitaceus with the parasitoid Encarsia formosa for whitefly control, and pairs the same predator with Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) for leafminer management. These combinations aim to deliver more effective pest suppression than any single biological control method used alone, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides in protected cultivation systems.
Technical specifications
Target pests and control agents:
- Greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) controlled through combined release of the predator Tupiocoris cucurbitaceus and the parasitoid Encarsia formosa
- Tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta) controlled through combined release of T. cucurbitaceus and Sterile Insect Technique (SIT)
Validated findings:
- In no-choice tests, T. cucurbitaceus consumed whitefly nymphs parasitized by E. formosa, showing a statistically significant preference for non-parasitized over parasitized nymphs
- The predator successfully consumed T. absoluta eggs from both irradiated and non-irradiated parents without preference, demonstrating compatibility with SIT
- T. cucurbitaceus was able to develop and reproduce feeding exclusively on eggs from irradiated parental males, with similar population parameters across diets
Future validation plans:
- Choice assays to evaluate predator preference between parasitized and live whitefly nymphs
- Greenhouse enclosure cage trials to measure individual and combined effects of predator and parasitoid releases on whitefly development during a full crop growing season
- Field evaluation of moth population suppression achieved by individual or combined use of T. cucurbitaceus and SIT
Technology readiness level
This research is at an advanced validation stage. Laboratory no-choice tests have confirmed key biological interactions and compatibility between the predator and both the parasitoid and SIT approaches. The next phase involves choice assays and greenhouse-scale trials under semi-field conditions, followed by evaluations of combined pest suppression strategies in production-like environments. The work is being conducted at INTA, Argentina's national agricultural technology institute, with established expertise in biological control of greenhouse pests.
About Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria
INTA is Argentina’s national agricultural technology institute—a decentralized public research and extension organization—with a countrywide network of research centers, experimental stations, and extension units. Co‑located labs and field sites embedded in production regions enable applied R&D and direct engagement through its extension system, offering practical environments for corporate collaboration. A dedicated technology‑linkage function manages licensing, co‑development agreements, and specialized services, while an affiliated foundation can contract and administer international projects to streamline collaboration. INTA is primarily supported by the Government of Argentina under the Secretariat of Bioeconomy, with teams also tapping competitive national and international funding programs. Its technology transfer processes cover IP management, licensing, and support for technology‑based ventures.
delivered to your inbox.