| Pest control in Gerbera cultivation is difficult. Insects that infest Gerbera include: thrips, spider mites, whiteflies, leaf-miners aphis and capsid. Furthermore it is difficult to apply insecticides to the dense foliage particularly the underneath surfaces of the leaves. It is calculated that no spray ever reaches more than 60% of the leaf surface. IPM (Integrated pest management) is an important alternative and various beneficial insects are now used as standard practice to help control pests. The beneficial insect Eretmocerus eremicus is being successfully used in Holland where Gerbera cultivation covers around 280ha. Eretmocerus eremicus will control whitefly throughout the summer and autumn if the populations are well established. It performs better than Encarsia at high temperatures and is less susceptible to suphur used to control powdery mildew. Thrips are controlled by Amblyseius cucumeris, leafminer by Diglyphus isaea. Against spider mite, Feltiella acarisuga and Phytoseiulus persimilis are effective. Winged Feltiella is good at locating new localized outbreaks. “Commercial Greenhouse Grower” Fax 0044 1622 663733, E-mail: green@actpub.co.uk |
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