| Popis: |
Although chemical pesticides play a vital role in controlling the number of harmful insects, they also contribute to accelerated pollution of soil, air and water. Due to the frequent use, insects become resistant to active ingredients very quickly, they destroy the natural enemies of the pests, and have a harmful effect on humans. It is a method of controlling pests such as insects, mites, weeds and plant diseases using other organisms. It relies on predation, parasitism, herbivory, or other natural mechanisms. Accordingly, the application of biological protection, that is, the use of living organisms (predators and parasites) in plant protection programmes in protected areas, takes on a larger scale worldwide rather than the use of chemical pesticides. The aim of our research was determining the effectiveness of predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) and predatory bug Orius laevigatus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) on reducing the population of Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis). Experiment was set in greenhouses in Strumica region, in three localities (Prosenikovo, Banica, Dabile), during 2018, in a commercial pepper production. The results obtained correspond to our expectation in controlling the population of the trips. Predators proved to be effective in reducing the number of thrips population. |
