[CH] Hornworm
byron bromley (byron.bromley@gsd-co.com)
Mon, 21 Aug 2000 11:28:14 -0400
Per UFLA
http://www.ifas.ufl.edu/~insect/field/hornworm.htm
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Biological control. Natural enemies of these pests are abundant. Polistes
spp. wasps prey on the larvae and several wasp parasitoids (e.g.,
Trichogramma spp., Costesia congregata, Hyposoter exigua) are sometimes
effective. In Florida, Trichogramma pretiosum was released to control larvae
at a rate of 378,000/acre at 3-day intervals and high levels of egg
parasitism were attained.
To take advantage of the preference of Polistes wasps for hornworm larvae,
wasp shelters or nesting boxes have been placed in tobacco fields to
encourage the wasps, and wasp colonies were relocated into tobacco. Although
wasp predation was inadequate to prevent damage to tobacco, this approach
might be satisfactory for tomato.
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This is what NCSU say's about hornworm predators
http://ipmwww.ncsu.edu/AG271/tobacco/hornworms.html
CONTROL
There are a number of natural enemies that help control hornworm
populations. The stilt bug Jalysus spinosus (Say) attacks hornworm eggs.
Polistes spp. Wasps prey on larvae. The braconid parasite, Apanteles
congregatus (Say) lays eggs in first to third instar larvae. Offspring
emerge from fourth and fifth instar larvae and spin numerous white cocoons
on their backs. Bacillus sphingidis White causes hornworm septicemia
disease. Two flies (Tachinidae) lay their eggs on hornworm larvae and the
developing fly larvae kill the hornworm pupae
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Lord Byron