Some biological interactions between the parasitoid Anagyrus pseudococci (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) and its host Planococcus ficus (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae)

Abstract

The development, longevity, fecundity and life-table parameters of the endoparasitoid Anagyrus pseudococci (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), 15 d.o. (3rd-instar nymphs) and 21 d.o. (young adult females) of the vine mealybug, Planococcus ficus (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) at 28 ± 1°C, 65 ± 10%RH and 16:8h L:D under laboratory conditions. The developmental time of female parasitoids within the host was 17.7 ± 0.39 days in 15 d.o. and 16.65 ± 0.25 days in 21 d.o. hosts; for males, development time was 16.85 ± 0.29 and 15.25 ± 0.09 days, respectively. The average number of offspring per female was 22.35 ± 1.68 in 15 d.o. and 34.8 ± 2.56 in 21 d.o. vine mealybugs. The longevity of female parasitoids was 14.8 ± 0.98 days in 15 d.o. and 15.65 ± 0.92 days in 21 d.o. mealybugs, respectively; for males, longevity was determined as 7.3 ± 0.43 and 6.7 ± 0.54 days, respectively. The mean time of pupation was 7.85 ± 0.003 days in 15 d.o. mealybugs and 8.65 ± 0.003 days in 21 d.o. mealybugs. The aggregate encapsulation rate in the parasitized 15 d.o. mealybugs was 49.73 and 60.36% in 21 d.o. mealybugs. Furthermore, effective encapsulation was 24.82% in 15 d.o. mealybugs and 37.50% in 21 d.o. mealybugs. Population growth rate (r m ) for A. pseudococci was 0.0999 female/female/days in 15 d.o. mealybugs and 0.1269 female/female/days in 21 d.o. mealybugs. The mean population generation time was 23.49 days for parasitoids reared in 15-days-old and 22.39 days when reared in 21 d.o. mealybugs.

Effect of Contact Pesticides on Vine Mealybug Parasitoids, Anagyrus sp. near pseudococci (Girault) and Coccidoxenoides perminutus (Timberlake) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)

“…This may interfere with the phenological synchrony between mealybugs and their parasitoids resulting in reduced ability of the parasitoids to regulate mealybug populations. The reproductive statistics of A. pseudococci (Güleç et al, 2007) and C. perminutus (Davies et al, 2004) suggest that these biological control agents will be able to complete more generations than the mealybug within the field temperatures, thus, they are both effective against P. ficus where pesticides are used selectively.…”

Interspecific competition between Anagyrus pseudococci and Leptomastix dactylopii, parasitoids of the vine mealybug Planococcus ficus

“…Encapsulation is another important factor determining the result of parasitoid competition. Different encapsulation rates of A. pseudococi on P. ficus were reported by different researchers (Blumberg et al 1995;Güleç et al 2007). Güleç et al (2007) stated that an effective encapsulation rate for the parasitoid was 37.51 %.…”

“…A. pseudococci is a polyphagous, cosmopolitan, solitary, koinobiont endoparasitoid and has a wide host and geographic range, from Argentina to South Africa, but is especially widespread in Mediterranean countries (Berlinger 1977;Duso 1989;Ö ncüer 1991;Noyes and Hayat 1994;Daane et al 2004;Kaydan et al 2006). The parasitoid generally prefers 3rd instar nymphs and virgin female mealybugs, but it is also capable of parasitizing 1st and 2nd instar nymphs (Güleç et al 2007).…”

Ultralow Oxygen Treatment for Control of <I>Planococcus ficus</I> (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on Grape Benchgrafts

“…However, chemical control programs of P. ficus are often incomplete, as a portion of the population often resides in protected locations under the bark of the trunk or cordon, and can disrupt natural enemies (Daane et al 2003(Daane et al , 2004Walton 2003;Castillo et al 2005;Desneux et al 2007;Gülec et al 2007). Moreover, chemical insecticide programs against the pest in the USA, including organophosphates combined with either or both a systemic chloronicotinyl and an insect growth regulator, can be prohibitively expensive for some grape producers (Daane at al.…”

“…Although a combination of chemical, biological and cultural control methods may be used in an integrated pest management system to control vine mealybug in vineyards today, chemical insecticide applications using synthetic products are the most common control method against the pest (Daane et al 2003;Walton 2003;Daane et al 2004;Castillo et al 2005;Gülec et al 2007). However, chemical control programs of P. ficus are often incomplete, as a portion of the population often resides in protected locations under the bark of the trunk or cordon, and can disrupt natural enemies (Daane et al 2003(Daane et al , 2004Walton 2003;Castillo et al 2005;Desneux et al 2007;Gülec et al 2007).…”