| Functional biodiversity can be enhanced by in settling, in the crops surroundings, specific vegetal species that will increase the occurrence of beneficial insects, by providing shelters, and alternative preys. This technique, also called biological control by habitat manipulation, was adapted in Southern France to control spider mites (Tetranychus urticae), and white flies (Trialeurodes vaporariorum and Bemisia tabaci) using two predatory mirid bugs Macrolophus melanotoma (form. caliginosus) and Dicyphus errans. Trials started in 2007, with a first step consisting in selecting adapted host-plants for these two mirids. 22 species of host-plants have been sown in strips between greenhouses at the experimental station of GRAB (Avignon – Provence).... |
