Feeding preference and intraguild interactions between the parasitoid Trichogramma achaeae and the predator Macrolophus pygmaeus, two biological agents of Tuta absoluta.

Macrolophus pygmaeus prefers unparasitized eggs of T. absoluta but inflicts intraguild predation on T. achaeae. In conspecific experiments, mutual interference between M. pygmaeus predators intensifies as the number of individuals increases, but for T. achaeae, it occurs in an unpredictable manner. Adding T. achaeae could significantly increase the level of control of T. absoluta compared to what could be achieved when only M. pygmaeus is present in greenhouse tomatoes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.