Biocontrol by Drones For Citrus Orchards
The most efficient way to release natural enemies in your orchards
Why Using Biocontrol in Citrus Orchards?
Natural Enemies of California Red Scale and Yellow Scale
Aphytis melinus
Natural Enemies of the Asian Citrus Psyllid
Augmented release of beneficial insects in IPM orchards, while not enough by themselves, have an important part to play in the control of Asian citrus psyllid populations. Orchards that are under minimal chemical management have very good biotic resistance, mainly from natural enemies.
Advantages of releasing beneficials from a drone for citrus growers
Easy access to the field
The drone is extremely effective in releasing beneficial insects in fields that were otherwise not accessible with a spraying tractor or even by foot because of the mud caused by the rain.
Better establishment than manual release
Obstacles in the middle of the field make it hard for field workers to release predatory mites by hand at a uniform rate, while the drone can do the application easily from the air.
Better use of your labor
Because of windy conditions or because field workers are covering several ranches, it can take a few days to have the labor force apply beneficials to different fields. With the drone, a single pilot could cover several ranches in the same amount of time.
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Some predators (Mealybug destroyer) and parasitoids (Anagyrus wasp) have proven to be very efficient at controlling mealybugs
A discussion about biocontrol with Chrissie Davis of Koppert
A discussion about biocontrol and some misconceptions about it, about the history, opportunities, and challenges of its implementation in open fields, and about the new drone-based technologies used to release beneficial agents.
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