Persistent and emerging pests in greenhouse crops: Is there a need for new natural enemies?

Abstract: Although many pest species can be controlled successfully with natural enemies (NEs) in greenhouse crops, damage caused by a few persistent pests can still not be reduced sufficiently through the use of NEs alone. Moreover, new pests continue to emerge either through the invasion of exotic species (global trade, global warming), or because less and more selective pesticides are used. In this paper I summarize the currently most problematic and emerging pest species in greenhouse crops as well as the new releases of commercialised NEs of the last 5 years. Both the need to find new NEs and methods to enhance their performance and establishment in greenhouse crops are discussed.