Data from: A parasitoid wasp allied with an entomopathogenic virus to control Tuta absoluta
Data files
Mar 04, 2024 version files 23.67 KB
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README.md
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tabs_data.xlsx
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Abstract
Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a major threat to worldwide tomato production, and sustainable management methods are needed. Betabaculovirus phoperculellae (PhopGV) and the parasitoid wasp Necremnus tutae Ribes & Bernardo (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) were identified as promising biocontrol agents of this pest. Since the virus is most effective against first instar larvae, whereas the parasitoid targets older ones, combining both agents could result in increased pest control. We conducted a replicated semi-field experiment to evaluate the control efficacy of N. tutae and PhopGV when used alone and in combination against T. absoluta and their compatibility over an entire growth period. Combining the two agents achieved the highest larval (−24 %) and crop damage (−29 %) reduction cumulated over the entire experiment. However, there was no significant additive effect of the two agents. At the end of the trial, which coincided with the emergence of the third generation of T. absoluta adults, using the virus alone resulted in the strongest reduction of adult density (−78 %), followed by the virus-parasitoid combination (−59 %). No negative effect of the virus was recorded on the parasitoid population. Our results demonstrate the compatibility and potential of N. tutae and PhopGV to reduce population growth and crop damage of T. absoluta under semi-field conditions. While more research is needed, our findings provide important insights into an innovative combination of biocontrol agents, thereby contributing to more sustainable agriculture.
README: Data from: A parasitoid wasp allied with an entomopathogenic virus to control Tuta absoluta
The data were collected from a semi-field experiment aiming to assess the efficacy of the parasitoid wasp Necremnus tutae and the Betabaculovirus phoperculellae (PhopGV) for the control of the South American tomato leafminer.
Four treatments with seven replicates were set up in a randomized block design:
- T. absoluta only as control (CO);
- T. absoluta and parasitoids (PA);
- T. absoluta and baculovirus (VI);
- T. absoluta, parasitoids, and baculovirus (VP).
Potted tomato plants were placed in walk-in cages and fifty adult T. absoluta were released in each cage to build an initial population. In treatments VI and VP, the plants were sprayed with a formulation of the baculovirus. In treatments CO and PA, the plants were sprayed with water. In treatments PA and VP, parasitoids were released.
Every week for three generations, T. absoluta larvae and leaf damage were monitored. At the end of the trial, yellow sticky traps with a synthetic T. absoluta female pheromone dispenser were hung in each cage to catch and count all alive adults of T. absoluta and N. tutae.
Description of the data and file structure
The dataset is structured in two worksheets:
weekly_monitoring structured in the following columns:
A. Cage number (1 to 28)
B. Block number (1 to 7, each block corresponds to one replicate of the treatments described above)
C. Treatment used (see information about the treatments above)
D. Number of days since the beginning of the trial (which corresponds to the day the adult T. absoluta were released into the cages)
E. Number of T. absoluta larvae
F. Percentage of leaf damage caused by T. absoluta larvaeyellow_sticky_traps structured in the following columns:
A. Cage number (1 to 28)
B. Block number (1 to 7, each block corresponds to one replicate of the treatments described above)
C. Treatment used (see information about the treatments above)
D. Number of T. absoluta adults caught on the yellow sticky traps
E. Number of N. tutae adult males caught on the yellow sticky traps (NA- no data available for treatments CO and VI as no parasitoids were released in these treatments)
F. Number of N. tutae adult females caught on the yellow sticky traps (NA- no data available for treatments CO and VI as no parasitoids were released in these treatments)
Sharing/Access information
There is no other way to access the data.
Code/Software
There is no code associated with this dataset.
Methods
The data were collected from a semi-field study in Switzerland during the summer growing seasons 2021. Four treatments with seven replicates were set up in a randomized block design in two greenhouses using walk-in (1.50m x 1.75m x 2.50m W x L x H), thrips-proof cages: 1) T. absoluta only as control; 2) T. absoluta and parasitoids (N. tutae); 3) T. absoluta and baculovirus (PhopGV); 4) T. absoluta, parasitoids, and baculovirus. Adult T. absoluta were released in each cage, which contained tomato plants. In the parasitoid and the combined treatment, parasitoids were released. In the virus and the combined treatment, the virus was sprayed on the plant in a water solution. Every week for three generations, T. absoluta larvae and adults were monitored.