Leaf miner control with the parasitic wasp Dacnusa sibirica
Dacnusa sibirica is a small parasitic wasp belonging to the family Braconidae. This insect is known for its role as a biological control agent, particularly in the control of leaf miners of the genus Liriomyza. The species is native to Europe and can appear spontaneously in greenhouses in all seasons.
Dacnusa sibirica is used for the control of the following pests:
- Tomato leaf miner (Liriomyza bryoniae)
- Pea leaf miner (Liriomyza huidbrensis)
The parasitic wasp Dacnusa sibirica is available at Koppert as Minusa.
Dacnusa sibirica products
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How to use Dacnusa sibirica
The parasitic wasp Dacnusa sibirica is available in a bottle (Minusa).
- Release parasitic wasps between the leaves of the crop in the morning or in the evening
The dosage of Minusa depends on climate, crop and leaf miner density and should always be adjusted to the particular situation. Start introduction as soon as the first mines are visible in the crop. Introduction rates typically range from 0.25-0.5 per m2/release. Releases should be repeated at least 3 times at weekly intervals or until control is achieved. At higher temperatures (>25°C/77°F) and/or higher infestation rates it might be better to use Miglyphus. Consult a Koppert advisor or a recognized distributor of Koppert products for advice on the best strategy for your situation.
Behaviour of parasitic wasp Dacnusa sibirica
Dacnusa sibirica is highly efficient at detecting a plant affected by leaf miners. Once such a plant has been found, suitable hosts are very rapidly located. They use the antennae and ovipositor to find a mine and a leaf miner larva. Dacnusa sibirica displays host discrimination; that is, they can distinguish between parasitized and non-parasitized larvae. Dacnusa sibirica is even capable of distinguishing a leaf that has already been visited from one that has not. Dacnusa sibirica is a solitary parasitic wasp. At high rates of parasitization, super-parasitization may occur when more than one egg is laid in a host larva. However, only one parasitic wasp will emerge from the leaf miner pupa, as larvae attack each other and only the stronger larva survives. Although Dacnusa sibirica has more difficulty with the larvae of Liriomyza trifolii than with the larvae of Liriomyza bryoniae, it is perfectly capable of developing in the larvae of both species. Dacnusa sibirica does not parasitize well on Liriomyza sativae.
Life cycle and appearance of Dacnusa sibirica
The life cycle of Dacnusa sibirica consists of an egg, a larva, a pupa and an adult. In order to see the eggs and larvae of the endoparasitoid, the parasitized leaf miner larvae must be dissected; it is impossible to tell whether a leaf miner larva or pupa has been parasitized from external appearance. Although all larval instars can be parasitized, Dacnusa sibirica shows a preference for first and second instars. Their eggs are laid in the larvae and the adults emerge from the host pupae. Eggs of Dacnusa sibirica are oval and a clear white colour. Dacnusa sibirica larvae are transparent and have a small, pointed head with small reddish brown jaws. The larvae of the parasitic wasp only reaches full development after pupation of the leaf miner larva. The adult parasitic wasps emerge from the leaf miner pupae by biting a hole in the pupal cuticle with their jaws. The orientation of the wasp within the host pupa is the same as that of the leaf miner itself, the head of the wasp thus developing where the head of the leaf miner originally was. Adult Dacnusa sibirica are black with brown legs and 2-3 mm long. The wasps have long antennae with at least 16 segments.
