Rastrococcus spp. (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and their natural enemies in India as potential biocontrol agents for R. invadens Williams

Abstract

Rastrococcus invadens Williams, a pest of fruit and ornamental trees in West Africa, was introduced from the Oriental Region. In 1986, a search was initiated in India for natural enemies of Rastrococcus spp. with a view to selecting potential biocontrol agents for introduction into West Africa. The results of the survey, laboratory breeding of the hosts and their natural enemies and host-specificity of the natural enemies are reported. Based on host-acceptance tests, two encyrtids, Gyranusoidea tebygi Noyes and Anagyrus sp., have been sent to UK for further screening.

Host–plant relationships and natural enemies of the invasive mealybug, Rastrococcus iceryoides Green in Kenya and Tanzania

“…), R. iceryoides was absent at these sampling sites suggesting these elevations could be outside the altitudinal range of the pest. Our data strong suggest that R. iceryoides may be better adapted to low and mid altitudes than to higher altitudes, which exactly match its distribution range in its native home of India (Rawat and Jakhmola ; Narasimham and Chacko ; Williams ; Narasimham and Chacko ; C. M. Tanga, unpublished data). Although the precise date of introduction of R. iceryoides to Kenya and Tanzania is unknown (Williams ), it is highly probable that current distribution and spread of the mango mealybug populations was assisted by fruits and plant materials transported across the region in commercial and private vehicles as is the case with the introduction of R. invadens into West and Central Africa (Agounké et al.…”

Socio-economic impact of biological control of mango mealybug in Benin

“…Later many more West African countries joined. The parasitic wasp, Gyranusoidea tebygi Noyes (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) was imported from India (Narasimham and Chacko, 1988) and studied in quarantine (Willink and Moore, 1988). The wasp was reared, released and established in different places in Africa (Agricola et al, 1989;Neuenschwander et al, 1994).…”

Developmental studies on Anagyrus mangicola (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), a parasitoid of the mealybug Rastrococcus invadens (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae)

“…As a result of work in India (Narasimham & Chacko, 1988), two species of primary parasitoid attacking R. invadens described as Gyranusoidea tebygi (Noyes, 1988) and Anagyrus mangicola (Noyes, 1990), were established in laboratory culture at Silwood Park, UK. Initial studies of R. invadens and G. tebygi (Willink & Moore, 1988), resulted in G. tebygi being sent to Togo in 1987 where it was mass reared and released, followed by releases in other West African countries.…”