The practical use of tachinids and their beneficial effect in conjunction with other biological controllers in sugarcane growing in Venezuela

Biological control by tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) in Venezuela has been highly successful, mainly against sugarcane borers of the genus Diatraea. The parasitoid Amazonian fly, Lydella (=Metagonistylum) minense exerted a significant reduction of the percentages of infestation/internodes perforated by sugarcane borers in the plantings areas of Venezuela for more than 50 years, obtaining the consequent economic benefit. After the introduction of the braconid wasp Cotesia flavipes (Cameron), it was possible to control all Diatraea species, since L. minense showed a preference over D. saccharalis and a lesser extent over the other species.