New biocontrol agents added to PM 6/3(5) in 2021
In 2021, the following three species were added to the EPPO Standard PM 6/3(5) Biological control agents safely used in the EPPO region, Appendix 1 – commercially or officially used biological control agents.
Anastatus bifasciatus (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae)
Anastatus bifasciatus is a hymenopteran egg parasitoid of various pests of agronomic interest, mostly heteropterans, including the newly introduced brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys. A. bifasciatus is indigenous and widespread in the EPPO region.
Heterorhabditis downesi (Heterohabdtitidae: Heterohabditis)
Heterorhabditis downesi is a nematode used for the biological control of black vine weevil larvae (Otiorhynchus spp.) in nurseries, soft fruit farms and home gardens, for the control of chafer grubs (Phyllopertha horticola, Hoplia philanthus, Melolontha melolontha) on golf courses and sport fields and for the control of pine weevil larvae (Hylobius abietis) in spruce and pine stumps. H. downesi is indigenous and widespread in the EPPO region.
Eupeodes corollae (Diptera: Syrphidae)
Eupeodes corollae is a hover fly whose larvae are predators of aphids and other small insects. It is marketed for aphid control and is commercially available in the EPPO region. The species is indigenous and widespread in the EPPO region.
Sources
EPPO (2021) PM 6/3(5) Biological control agents safely used in the EPPO region. EPPO Bulletin 51, 451-451. https://www.eppo.int/media/uploaded_images/RESOURCES/eppo_standards/pm6/pm6-03(5)-2021-en.pdf