Integrated control of allium leafminer in leek

The main objective of this project is to develop an integrated management strategy for the allium leaf minder in leek. This management strategy is based on the three pillars of Integrated Pest Management (IPM): prevention, monitoring and integration of different control methods. A good and reliable monitoring system is essential in order to prevent the pest from being noticed until it becomes impossible to prevent economic damage, even through chemical control.This project aims to achieve the following sub-objectives, each of which leads to a work package:- morphological and molecular recognition of leafminers in leeks for a clear determination and a direct and user-friendly identification of P. gymnostoma in the field (work package 1);- the search for a good monitoring method for the preiminer fly (work package 2);- determining the life cycle and phenology (linking various development stages to meteorological data) of the preiminer fly and drawing up a day-degree model (work package 3); - preventing natural enemies in the field and integrating the knowledge about the population structure of the natural enemies in the management strategy (work package 4)- the occurrence of natural enemies in the field and the integration of knowledge about the population structure of the natural enemies in the management strategy (Work Package 4)- testing different technical cultivation methods and determining the efficiency of various insecticides with the most efficient application method (Work Package 5);The transfer of knowledge on the results of this project will take place from day one, starting with the current observation and warning systems in leek (work package 6).