ENTFACT-327: Biological Control of Arthropod Pests in High Tunnels and Greenhouses  |  Download PDF

John Obrycki, Professor, and Ric Bessin, Extension Specialist
University of Kentucky College of Agriculture

Production of vegetables in protected environments, high tunnels and greenhouses, is very different than in the field. Many of the pests that we typically need to manage in the field are relatively uncommon, while some species that we rarely need to manage in the field are the key pests in these protected environments that require management. Groups of pests most commonly needing management on vegetables in high tunnels and greenhouses include whiteflies, thrips, aphids, fungus gnats, and mites. Within each of these types of pests there can be one or more species and proper identification is critical to the success of a biological control program. 

Producers of tomatoes and vegetables in high tunnel or greenhouse production systems manage several key arthropod pests to maximize their yields and profits.  An environmentally and economically sound management system for these pests is based on the following components:

• Sanitation – cultural controls which includes screening ventilators and weed control in and around structures. Removal of heavily infested plants if infestations are localized.
• Biweekly Monitoring – visual inspection of plants and sticky cards. Try to set aside a specific time of the week for monitoring so that this activity becomes part of your routine. Use a standard method (number of plants sampled in a specific way) so that you can compare pest levels from one date to other weeks or years. Yellow sticky cards should be placed just over the height of the plants and checked weekly. They will need to be replaced when they become covered with debris, typically once every 2 weeks.
• Recognize developing pest problems early – including correct identification. Be familiar with the common pests in their various life stages. Most of these are very small, so a hand lens is usually needed. The publication ID-235, IPM Scouting Guide for Common Problems of High Tunnel and Greenhouses Vegetables, can help with pest identification.
• Release beneficial species (natural enemies and pollinators) – monitor effects – consult with extension specialists and suppliers.  Beneficial species do not act like insecticides and require management.
• Anticipate pest problems based on previous crop history and be ready to order beneficial species. Suppliers typically ship beneficial organisms early in the week to avoid weekends.
• Maintain records of scouting and management information.

The first step in managing any problem is to first properly identify the problem. Once it has been identified, in this instance an arthropod pest, then management information becomes available through your local extension office or the internet. If you cannot identify the problem, take a sample or good quality image to your local county extension agent. This service is available at no charge for the citizens of Kentucky. Entfact-001, available online, provides advice on taking a sample and a good insect photo. If the county agent is not able to identify the problem, the sample will be sent to UK for identification. 

There are insecticides or miticides available for control/suppression of arthropod pests in high tunnels and greenhouses.  However, many of the insecticides we can use in the field are prohibited in high tunnels and greenhouses. For purposes of pesticide applications, high tunnels are considered greenhouses. If you use biological control, you must be careful when selecting and using insecticides (miticides) as many insecticides may also kill the beneficial insects and mites. Selective insecticides, such as those containing Bt, are more compatible with biological control. 

If a grower plans to use biological control for management of arthropod pests in a high tunnel system, the following items need to be considered in their decision:

Considerations

• Best to begin biological control when pests are at low densities. Will not work if pest numbers are high.
• Requires more management in terms of identification and monitoring of both pest and beneficial activity.
• Will not eliminate pests, but keeps them at very low levels when successful.
• Different pest groups usually require different types of natural enemies to be released.
• Proper identification of pest species is critical.

Advantages

• Reduces insecticide use.
• Self-sustaining in that they reproduce and potentially provide control over an extended period; many of these biological control organisms can fly, so they will distribute themselves within a high tunnel or greenhouse structure.
• If pest problems develop, they buildup more slowly.
• May result in higher profits.
• No human exposure to insecticides, thus there are no requirements for record keeping, personal protective equipment (PPE), restricted entry intervals (REI) or pre-harvest intervals (PHI)

There are several species of biological control organisms that are commercially available, that are highly effective against arthropod pests attacking Kentucky tomato production systems. To be successful using beneficial species, release rates and timing need to be matched with pest populations in your greenhouse. Your county agent or supplier of the beneficial organisms can help you with this. It is also best to avoid releasing beneficial insects during the middle of the day. Either late afternoon or early morning is a better time for release and establishment of natural enemies. When receiving a shipment of natural enemies, always check to see that they arrive in good condition, otherwise call the supplier for a replacement. 

One big difference between high tunnels and greenhouses is ventilation. Most high tunnels have passive ventilation through side walls that are opened up while greenhouse have smaller windows and fans to move the air actively. Beneficial insects typically have a winged stage and can disperse easily. High tunnels can be fitted with screens, but care should be taken not to reduce airflow with very fine screens. 

Commercially Available Biological Control Organisms

Spider Mites  

Two species of predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis) and (Amblyseius fallacis) have been shown to be very effective for two-spotted spider mites.  If your structure has a history of tomato russet mite infestations – release A. fallacis predatory mites.  The predatory mite (Amblyseius swirskii) is an effective predator of broad mites.  A small predatory lady beetle species can also be purchased for mite suppression (Stethorus punctillum). 

Aphids

Predatory lacewings can be released for aphid suppression.  Also available is a predatory fly (Aphidoletes aphidimyza).  A number of species of stingless wasps (aphid parasitoids) are commercially available for several different aphid species.  For example, Aphidius colemani was released in a Kentucky greenhouse for suppression of melon aphids and provided season long suppression of this aphid pest.   Important to know the species of aphid pest to determine the most appropriate species of stingless wasp to release. 

Sorghum banker plants have been used to sustain aphid parasitoids in greenhouses as the aphid species attacking sorghum do not attack greenhouse vegetables and the grain aphids on sorghum support the parasitoids. 

Fungus Gnats 

Cultural controls – avoid over-watering and standing water.  Commercially available biological control organisms include entomopathogenic nematodes, predatory mites, and a bacterial insecticide (Gnatrol) 

Thrips

At least two species of predatory mites are reared by insectaries and can be purchased for release against thrips - Neoseiulus (Amblyseius) cucumeris and Amblyseius swirskii. Amblyseius swirskii is also used to control mites. 

Whiteflies

Correct identification of the species of whitefly infesting your structure is critical in selecting a biological control organism.  At least two species of tiny stingless wasps can be purchased for release against whiteflies – Encarsia formosa (greenhouse whitefly) and Eretmocerus eremicus (silverleaf or sweetpotato whitefly). A predatory lady beetle (Delphastus catalinae) can also be released for whitefly suppression. 

Additional Sources of Information:

• University of Connecticut Biological Control Success in Greenhouse Tomatoes
• White, J. A. and D. Johnson. 2012. UK Entfact-124: Vendors of microbial and botanical insecticides and insect monitoring devices.
• White, J. A. and D. Johnson. 2010. UK Entfact-125: Vendors of beneficial organisms in North America. 

Inclusion in the following list of sources of information does not imply any endorsement nor does exclusion imply any criticism of suppliers or their products:

• Applied Bio-nomics: http://www.appliedbio-nomics.com/ 
• Tomato Greenhouse Tomatoes: Guidelines for Biological Control. Applied Bio-nomics Ltd. Sheet 410. http://www.appliedbio-nomics.com/wp-content/uploads/410-tomato.pdf 
• Koppert Biological Systems: https://www.koppert.com/ and
• Koppert Products for Pests: https://www.koppert.com/products/products-pests-diseases/
• Rincon Vitova Insectaries: http://www.rinconvitova.com/

Released: 11/19

CAUTION! Pesticide recommendations in this publication are registered for use in Kentucky, USA ONLY! The use of some products may not be legal in your state or country. Please check with your local county agent or regulatory official before using any pesticide mentioned in this publication. 

Of course, ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS FOR SAFE USE OF ANY PESTICIDE!