Augmentative biological control (ABC) is crucial for the integrated pest management (IPM) of greenhouse pests. The proper calculation of natural enemy:pest release ratio (NEPRR) stands out among the various challenges of ABC. Often, most NEPRR calculations only take into account the predation/parasitism efficiency of natural enemies, while disregarding pest population growth capacity, population structure and/or economic thresholds. In a model system consisting of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley parasitizing eggs of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) on greenhouse tomatoes, we investigated whether a stage‐structured Lefkovitch matrix could be used to determine suitable NEPRRs. The results suggested that these matrix models can potentially provide more precise and realistic predictions of NEPRRs since they account for differential pest population growth over time as a response to natural enemy action. The matrix models could also allow us to choose an adaptable NEPRR based on parameters such as the period the grower wishes to keep the pest population below economic threshold.

中文翻译：

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使用生命阶段结构矩阵模型确定天敌：用于增强生物控制的害虫释放率

增强生物防治 (ABC) 对于温室害虫的综合害虫管理 (IPM) 至关重要。天敌的正确计算：害虫释放率 (NEPRR) 在 ABC 的各种挑战中脱颖而出。通常，大多数 NEPRR 计算仅考虑天敌的捕食/寄生效率，而忽略害虫种群增长能力、种群结构和/或经济阈值。在由 Trichogramma pretiosum Riley 寄生在温室番茄上的 Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) 卵组成的模型系统中，我们研究了阶段结构的 Lefkovitch 矩阵是否可用于确定合适的 NEPRR。结果表明，这些矩阵模型可以潜在地提供更精确和更现实的 NEPRR 预测，因为它们将不同时间的有害生物种群增长解释为对天敌行动的反应。矩阵模型还可以让我们根据参数选择适应性强的 NEPRR，例如种植者希望将害虫种群保持在经济阈值以下的时期。