inundative release

With inundative release, predators are collected, mass-reared and periodically released in large numbers into the pest area.

Inundative releases: Repeated high rate releases during periods of pressure for quick knock down. e.g.

The effectiveness of inundative releases of Trichogramma minutum Ril.

Lady beetles, lacewings, or parasitoids such as those from the genus Trichogramma are frequently released in large numbers (inundative release).

Inundative releases are mass introductions of predators or parasites aimed at eliminating the pests immediately, during the first generation of the control agent.

Measurement and selection of parasitoid quality for mass-reared Trichogramma minutum Riley used in inundative release.

Interactions between large scale inundative releases of Trichogramma minutum and naturally occurring spruce budworm parasitoids.

Augmentation, inoculative release and inundative release are different methods of biological control that affect the target pest in different ways.

Relatively few natural enemies may be released at a critical time of the season (inoculative release) or millions may be released (inundative release).

In America and other western countries, inundative releases are predominant, while Asia and the eastern Europe more commonly use inoculation and occasional introductions.

They can be considered the Drosophila of the parasitoid world as they have been used for inundative releases and much of our understanding today comes from experiments with these wasps.

Other commercially available predators have failed to provide control of this mite in inundative releases in greenhouses in Europe and North America (Smith 1999, Smith 2000).

Agriculture exploits this finding, and the inundative release of EPNs can effectively control populations of soil insect pests in citrus, cranberries, turfgrass, and tree fruit (Lewis et al. 1998).

Biocontrol techniques have been effective for imported pests and controlled environments (e.g., beetles used against purple loosestrife) and in inundative release of biocontrol agents in greenhouses, but their long-term prospects and importance are uncertain.

More recently, there have been petition submissions to the CFIA from private companies for commercial biocontrol agents that have never been introduced into Canada and are to be used for inundative releases in enclosed environments (e.g. glasshouses).