DOI: 10.5061/dryad.cfxpnvx9x
title: Data from: A parasitoid wasp allied with an entomopathogenic virus to control Tuta absoluta

description: Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a major
 threat to worldwide tomato production, and sustainable management methods
 are needed. Betabaculovirus phoperculellae (PhopGV) and
 the parasitoid wasp Necremnus tutae Ribes &
 Bernardo (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) were identified as promising biocontrol
 agents of this pest. Since the virus is most effective against first
 instar larvae, whereas the parasitoid targets older ones, combining both
 agents could result in increased pest control. We conducted a replicated
 semi-field experiment to evaluate the control efficacy of N.
 tutae and PhopGV when used alone and in combination
 against T. absoluta and their compatibility over an
 entire growth period. Combining the two agents achieved the highest larval
 (−24 %) and crop damage (−29 %) reduction cumulated over the entire
 experiment. However, there was no significant additive effect of the two
 agents. At the end of the trial, which coincided with the emergence of the
 third generation of T. absoluta adults, using the virus
 alone resulted in the strongest reduction of adult density (−78 %),
 followed by the virus-parasitoid combination (−59 %). No negative effect
 of the virus was recorded on the parasitoid population. Our results
 demonstrate the compatibility and potential of N.
 tutae and PhopGV to reduce population growth and crop damage
 of T. absoluta under semi-field conditions. While more research
 is needed, our findings provide important insights into an innovative
 combination of biocontrol agents, thereby contributing to more sustainable
 agriculture.
description: The data were collected from a semi-field study in Switzerland
 during the summer growing seasons 2021. Four treatments with seven
 replicates were set up in a randomized block design in two greenhouses
 using walk-in (1.50m x 1.75m x 2.50m W x L x H), thrips-proof cages:
 1) <em>T. absoluta</em> only as control;
 2) <em>T. absoluta</em> and parasitoids
 (<em>N. tutae</em>); 3) <em>T. absoluta</em> and
 baculovirus (PhopGV); 4) <em>T. absoluta</em>, parasitoids,
 and baculovirus. Adult <em>T. absoluta</em> were released in
 each cage, which contained tomato plants. In the parasitoid and the
 combined treatment, parasitoids were released. In the virus and the
 combined treatment, the virus was sprayed on the plant in a water
 solution. Every week for three
 generations, <em>T. absoluta</em> larvae and adults were
 monitored.
description: # Data from: A parasitoid wasp allied with an entomopathogenic virus to
 control *Tuta absoluta* --- The data were collected from a semi-field
 experiment aiming to assess the efficacy of the parasitoid wasp *Necremnus
 tutae* and the *Betabaculovirus phoperculellae* (PhopGV) for the control
 of the South American tomato leafminer. Four treatments with seven
 replicates were set up in a randomized block design: 1. *T. absoluta* only
 as control (CO); 2. *T. absoluta* and parasitoids (PA); 3. *T. absoluta*
 and baculovirus (VI); 4. *T. absoluta*, parasitoids, and baculovirus (VP).
 Potted tomato plants were placed in walk-in cages and fifty adult *T.
 absoluta* were released in each cage to build an initial population. In
 treatments VI and VP, the plants were sprayed with a formulation of the
 baculovirus. In treatments CO and PA, the plants were sprayed with water.
 In treatments PA and VP, parasitoids were released. Every week for three
 generations, *T. absoluta* larvae and leaf damage were monitored. At the
 end of the trial, yellow sticky traps with a synthetic *T. absoluta*
 female pheromone dispenser were hung in each cage to catch and count all
 alive adults of *T. absoluta* and *N. tutae*. ## Description of the data
 and file structure The dataset is structured in two worksheets: 1.
 **weekly_monitoring** structured in the following columns: A. Cage number
 (1 to 28) B. Block number (1 to 7, each block corresponds to one replicate
 of the treatments described above) C. Treatment used (see information
 about the treatments above) D. Number of days since the beginning of the
 trial (which corresponds to the day the adult *T. absoluta* were released
 into the cages) E. Number of *T. absoluta* larvae F. Percentage of leaf
 damage caused by *T. absoluta* larvae 2. **yellow_sticky_traps**
 structured in the following columns: A. Cage number (1 to 28) B. Block
 number (1 to 7, each block corresponds to one replicate of the treatments
 described above) C. Treatment used (see information about the treatments
 above) D. Number of *T. absoluta* adults caught on the yellow sticky traps
 E. Number of *N. tutae* adult males caught on the yellow sticky traps (NA-
 no data available for treatments CO and VI as no parasitoids were released
 in these treatments) F. Number of *N. tutae* adult females caught on the
 yellow sticky traps (NA- no data available for treatments CO and VI as no
 parasitoids were released in these treatments) ## Sharing/Access
 information There is no other way to access the data. ## Code/Software
 There is no code associated with this dataset.