TORYcontrol Torymus sinensis

Torymus sinensis belongs to family Torymidae, it is a specific parasitic wasp of the chestnut gall wasp (Dryocosmus kuriphilus).

For use only in chestnut groves infested by Dryocosmus kuriphilus. T. sinensis cannot be used as a preventive treatment.

ACTION MODE

The females of Torymus sinensis, before parasitizing, must be fertilized. If not, their offspring will consist exclusively of males. In spring, they begin their activity, looking for guts from the host to parasitize them. A female can lay up to 70 eggs, and has a life expectancy of about 37 days. It is characterized by having a very long ovipositor (unlike other species of torimids) and a perfect synchronization with that of its host, which explains its high specificity and effectiveness in the control of the chestnut wasp.

To observe a significant reduction in the number of gills in the chestnut, and depending on the doses used, may pass a period of 4 to 8 years.

The specificity of this parasitoid has been studied, offering females galls of oak, oak … Not observing any placement in these hosts.

RECOMMENDED DOSE

Release the wasp 15 days after the restart of the plant’s vegetative development (when the first leaves appear in apical buds). It can be released a few days later, but it will not be that effective. The insect should be put in the crop when there is a medium level of gall’s infestation, with a unique application of 100-120 individuals for each 2-3 hectares.

USE

Open the 10 supplied vials in a small group of plants (2 – 3) within a maximum area of 50 m² approx. in order to ensure that males and females of the next generation can find each other easily.

Put the vials facing up; wasps will go out by themselves. In case of slight rain or cold weather, put the vials facing down and hit them delicately over galls/leaves, where wasps can find shelter.