pest organisms for research

Bemisia tabaci (tobacco whitefly)

characteristics: adult stages of the tobacco whitefly hold their wings on the side of their body, so the yellow body is more clearly than in the greenhouse whitefly, adult stages are often on the underside of young leaves, larvae on the underside of young leaves, but on older leaves, the pupa is relatively flat and transparent or yellowish in color, the adult whitefly is visible (yellow with red eyes and white wing construction), if the larvae of the tobacco whitefly parasitized by Encarsia formosa, they turn white to brown, presence of honeydew on the crop

natural enemies: Encarsia formosa, Eretmocerus eremicus, combination of Encarsia formosa en Eretmocerus eremicus, Macrolophus pygmaeus and Swirski-mite

hosts: various fruit vegetables of the solonaceae family such as tomato and various ornamentals

Beet Armyworm (Spodoptera exigua)

characteristics: Length of forewing: 13-14 mm. This moth has a remarkably narrow brown front wing. It has a characteristic resting position in which the wings slightly draped around the body.

Presence: Almost every year some specimens migrate from Southern to the Northern Europe. They are particularly found in the southern coastal region, where greenhouses are common and can sometimes be a pest.

Habitat: The original habitat primarily warm slopes and forest edges.

Flying and behavior: This butterfly migration is mainly seen in the months from June to October. The butterflies come to light as well on grease and visits flowers and honeydew include butterfly bush and ivy.

Life cycle: In warmer climates, this species is active throughout the year. In the Benelux caterpillars are observed from July to November.

Host plants: Various herbaceous plants, including dandelion, sorrel, also many crops such as asparagus, beets, celery, lettuce, potato, tomato and cereals.

Black Vine Weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus)

characteristics: The adult weevil is matte black with fused wing covers, and is unable to fly. It feeds at night on the outer edges of leaves, causing the leaves to have a notched margin. Broadleaved evergreen plants such as camellia, rhododendron, euonymus and bergenia are particularly prone to damage, although a wide range of different garden plants is susceptible to attack.[1] Grubs grow up to 1 cm in length, have a slightly curved, legless body, creamy-white in colour, with a tan-brown head. They live below the soil surface, and feed on roots and cambium at the base of the trunk. They cause most damage to herbaceous plants, particularly those growing in containers, where root growth is restricted. Severe infestations can result in complete root destruction and hence plant death

hosts: Adult black vine weevils feed on over 100 identified species of woody and herbaceous plants. However, the preferred hosts are Taxus (Yew), hemlock, and various rhododendrons.

Tomato Looper (Chrysodeixis chalsites)

characteristics: Length of forewing: 15-18 mm. Like the related species, when this moth species is at rest, it’s  wings are on the side of the body.  At the top of the thorax is a prominent crest and further back is the crest becoming smaller. The front wings are pink or brownish gray in color and has a golden glow in varying strengths. Sometimes the wing are darker gray and lacks the golden sheen. In the middle of the front wing is a split-silver stain . A specific, but not always obvious characteristic, is a small black spot in the middle of the front wing’s edge.

Presence: A butterfly migration across the country occurs since 1976. It is found especially in the west of the Netherlands where it is a pest in greenhouses.

Habitat: This species is often found in heated greenhouses, especially in late summer can also be seen in many places outside.

Flying and behavior: This butterfly species migrates to the Netherlands  and can be observed from June to November. The butterflies visit flowers and light rail including flower and ivy. They are easily lured with pheromones, even in the middle of town. The butterflies are active during the day. The larvae feed on various herbaceous plants species.

Life cycle:  In Southern Europe this species has a continuous development. The caterpillars are introduced in the Netherlands through importation of plants.

Host plants: Various herbaceous plants, including strawberry, blackberry, tomato, false sage, tarragon, marshwort and tobacco.