Adaptation of Introduced Entomophages in the Insectarium of the Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden

Abstract

As the result of a many-year experiment on adaptation of introduced entomophages in the specialized insectarium of the Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden (PABGI), populations of the following species have been established: Phytoseiulus persimilis Ath.-Henr., Amblyseius mckenziei Schuster et Pritchard, Aphidius matricariae Hal., Aphidius colemani Vier., Encarsia formosa Gahan, and Aphidoletes aphidimyza Rond. These populations have short periods of preimaginal development, are resistant to sharp temperature changes, very voracious and active. These acari- and entomophages can persist for a long time under the specific conditions of the greenhouse ecosystem, effectively control pests, and regulate the biocoenotic complex at the level meeting the phytosanitary requirements. In their ecological characteristics the PABGI cultures surpass the conspecific populations from more southern areas.