In some cases, our theoretical predictions and/or our experimental results from the lab can be tested in larger scale, using the introduction opportunities provided by biological control programs. Our main projects so far have been the introduction of Torymus sinensis against the chestnut gall wasp Dryocosmus kuriphilus (test of the impact of propague size and number on establishment success), the introduction of Mastrus ridens against the coddling moth Cydia pomonella (analysis of the influence of landscape characteristics on expansion), the introduction of predatory mites in corn fields against the Western corn rootworm Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (influence of resource heterogeneity on spread dynamics at the local scale). This part of my work, although more time and resource-consuming than microcosm studies, is essential to build the link between theoretical or lab-based results and what happens in more complex, real-life ecosystems.
Dryocosmus kuriphilus, the chestnut gall wasp
(photo: J.C. Malausa)
Torymus sinensis, its archenemy
(photo: J.C. Malausa)
Cydia pomonella, the codling moth
(photo: D. Muru)
Mastrus ridens
(photo: X. Fauvergue)
Funding sources: INRA (SPE 2015) ; Ecophyto (2011-2014; 2016-2017) ; GNIS (MAD 2016-2019) ; EU FP7 (APITree 2017-2019) ; ANR (PushToiDeLa 2019-2022)