Tea: Biological control of insect and mite pests in China

• More than 1100 species of natural enemies recorded in China have been summarized.
• Biological characteristics of some dominant natural enemies have been well reviewed.
• Various biocontrol measures combined with other IPM approaches have been reviewed.
• The future researches and policy implementation of tea pests are suggested.

Tea is one of the most economically important crops in China. To secure its production and quality, biological control measures within the context of integrated pest management (IPM) has been widely popularized in China. IMP programs also provide better control of arthropod pests on tea with less chemical insecticide usage and minimal impact on the environment. More than 1100 species of natural enemies including about 80 species of viruses, 40 species of fungi, 240 species of parasitoids and 600 species of predators, as well as several species of bacteria have been recorded in tea ecosystems in China. Biological and ecological characteristics of some dominant natural enemies have been well documented. Several viral, bacterial, and fungal insecticides have been commercially utilized at large scale in China. Progress in biological control methods in conjunction with other pest control approaches for tea insect pest management is reviewed in this article. Knowledge gaps and future directions for tea pest management are also discussed.

Family structures of parasitoids and predators associated with tea insect and mite pests in recorded China (the data showed the species number for a defined family).Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide