Ecological approaches to manage the leafminer fly Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard) in potato-based agroecosystems of Peru

The leafminer fly Liriomyza huidobrensis (Diptera: Agromyzidae) is an economically globally important pest of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and vegetables. Its polyphagous nature combined with the pests’ high reproductive rate and rapid development of insecticide resistance contributed to its success to become an invasive species. The research presented here deals with its ecology and management. The development of an IPM program requires detailed knowledge of an agro-ecosystem, its components and how they interact. Ecological approaches in IPM of the leafminer fly L. huidobrensis are based on an overall understanding of its distribution and population dynamics in different potato agroecologies supported by phenology modeling, yield loss assessments and the use of control thresholds to minimize insecticide applications, habitat management with special consideration of conservation biological control and the use of selective insecticides to enhance natural biological control. Our research attempted to apply and test ecological concepts and principles to the design, development and implementation of IPM strategies profitable for farmers and with fewer environmental and human risks, and further showing that adequate management strategies in potato agroecosystems can improve natural biological control and consequently increase agroecosystem resilience to pest outbreaks in the Peruvian coast. Management strategies developed for lowland conditions can be used as a basis for designing control measures for potato highland agroecologies. Further, results can be employed to develop and adapt IPM for L. huidobrensis to new regions invaded by the pest.