Releases of the parasitic wasp Anagyrus kamali (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in the field to control the pink mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green (Hemiptera: Pseudoccidae) and preliminary results on efficacy
1997
Morais, Michael (International Institute of Biological Control, Caribbean and Latin American Station, Curepe (Trinidad and Tobago))
The parasitic wasp Anagyrus kamali eas imported into Trinidad to control the Pink Mealybug Maconellicoccus hirsutus. Out of an initial shipment of approxiately 1500 fertile females, 600 were released in 12 sleeve cages in urban areas on infested hibiscus plants to determine the ability of the wasp to survive under semi natural conditions in Trinidad and also to further augment the numbers of the wasps. The wasp bred very well in the sleeves with initial 50 females per cage producing between 150 and 500 individuals of both sexes. These were later released both in the laboratory for mass rearing and directlly in the field at five sites. The reductions in the numbers of the various stages of mealybugs were recorded. Intial results are promising and indicate the wasp has the potential to significantly reduce the populations of the pest.
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