Augmentation

When natural enemies are absent (as in greenhouses) or too scare to provide control, their numbers may be increase artificially by releasing insectary-reared individuals. Release of commercially produced natural enemies is called augmentation biocontrol. Inoculative release involve small numbers of natural enemies with the expectation that their offspring will continue to control the pest for an extended period of time. Inundative release usually involves large numbers of natural enemies because reproduction of the released individuals is not likely to occur.

Inoculative release

An early release of the parasitoid Encarsia formosa can assist whitefly control in greenhouse tomato crops throughout the growing season.

Inundative release

Eretmocerus eremicus must be released weekly for continuous suppression of whiteflies in greenhouse-grown poinsettia.