The effects of application of an artificial honeydew mixture of glucose, fructose and trehalose (GFT), honey and Bemisia tabaci nymph-extract as kairomonal sources in enhancing the foraging efficiency and performance of Eretmocerus sp. near furuhashii on cucumber plants were studied. Experiments were conducted in small greenhouses (4×3×3 m) using life table methods. Life table data indicated that the total mortality in B. tabaci immature cohorts in all treatments was in the order of fourth instar > first instar > second = third > egg > pupa cohorts. The tested kairomonal materials had a significant effect on the rate of parasitism (p > 0.0415) with 13.23, 9.04 and 10.54% higher than that of control in artificial honeydew of GFT, nymph-extract and honey treatments, respectively. B. tabaci egg/adult survival ratio was also significantly affected (p > 0.0001) by the tested kairomonal sources being lowest (22.91%) in nymph-extract treatment. Moreover, the tested kairomonal materials arrested significantly more parasitoids to colonize the treated plants comparing to control. Apparently, the tested materials were significantly effective in attracting the parasitoids up to 3 days after applications then significant difference was not found between treatments.

In order to use entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) as biological control agents, it is necessary to mass produce the EPF in an economical and cost-effective manner. Currently, the mass production of EPF is carried out mainly in two ways: solid-state fermentation in which the aerial conidia are produced, and liquid fermentation in which the blastospores and submerged conidia are produced. This research compares the survival of Beauveria bassiana A1-1spores from solid and liquid culture media, after 0, 3, 6 and 9 months of storage at room temperature (25 ± 5°C) and in the refrigerator (4°C). Furthermore, it compares the pathogenicity of spores immediately after production and after 9 months of storage on third nymphs of greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum. The aerial conidia and blastospores were slightly more virulent than the submerged conidia on whitefly nymphs. In laboratory bioassays, blastospores indicated more pathogenicity on nymphs than submerged conidia, even though there was no significant difference in the pathogenicity of the spores produced in liquid culture media in greenhouse bioassays. Moreover, survival of the aerial conidia at a low temperature (4°C) was higher than that kept at room temperature (25 ± 5°C). This storage temperature comparison revealed a positive effect on the stability and survival of blastospores and submerged conidia as well. Meanwhile, the survival of spores drastically decreased after 3 months of storage at room temperature.

The presented studies revealed the usefulness of marjoram oil, thyme oil, juniper oil and sweet flag oil in the monitoring of the occurrence of greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood). While using the examined natural essential oils on yellow sticky traps, it was found that the number of caught insects increased significantly. In relation to the control (traps without any addition of aromatic substance), the increase amounted to: 423.13%, 422.28%, 209.91% and 139.43% respectively.