Chirinos, D.T., Anchundia, M., Castro, R., Castro Olaya, J., Geraud, J.E., & Kondo, T. 2021 Diversity of native and exotic parasitoids attacking agricultural pests in Ecuador: are Ecuadorian biocontrol programs in decline? [Diversidad de parasitoides nativos y exóticos que atacan plagas agrícolas en Ecuador: ¿están en declive los programas de biocontrol ecuatorianos?]. Anartia 23: 7-26

Keywords:

  • biological control
  • natural enemies
  • Notes: We conducted this study to elaborate a compendium about the diversity of parasitoids of agricultural insect pests and to estimate the trend of biocontrol by the use of these natural enemies. Approximately 200 taxa of parasitoids were found to be reported controlling various pests that affect cultivated crops in continental Ecuador. The results suggest a decreasing trend in the use of parasitoids as biocontrol agents from 1980 to the present. this paper, we discuss the probable explanations of this trend.