Environmental research on aphid parasitoid biocontrol agents in Chile (Hym., Aphidiidae; Hom., Aphidoidea)

An extensive review of parasitoid‐host associations and identification of aphid (including new records) and parasitoid species (endemic, introduced) found in Chile is presented as a background information. Several situations are analysed in detail as models to demonstrate the (agro)ecosystem relationships as drawn from the host range of the parasitoids. Multilateral approach in using parasitoid biocontrol agents has proved to provide several key positives such as 1. control of the target pest in the entire environment and throughout the season, 2. simultaneous control of target and non target pests by the same parasitoid biocontrol agents and 3. reduced application of pesticides. The goal of multilateral approach is to determine the host range network of parasitoid biocontrol agents, its seasonal changes and to derive corresponding (agro)ecosystem relationships. Biocontrol projects of Metopolophium dirhodum, Sitobion avenae, Acyrthosiphon pisum, A. kondoi and Diuraphis noxia in Chile are partially used as models.