Biological Control of Insect Pests: Southeast Asian Prospects - EcoPort

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4.9 Dysmicoccus brevipes 155
(Takahashi 1939). Cryptolaemus, imported for control of D. brevipes and
other mealybugs, was only partially effective. A Scymnus sp., said to be
effective against D. brevipes in Saipan, was introduced, but no further
information is available (Sakimura 1935). The most abundant attendant ants
were Pheidologeton diversus, Anoplolepis longipes and Camponotus
friedae (Lee 1974).
The encyrtid Pseudaphycus dysmicocci was reared as a solitary parasitoid of
second instar female nymphs of D. brevipes on pineapple (Bennett 1955).
D. brevipes was a common pest in southern Florida and Hambletonia
pseudococcina was introduced from Puerto Rico and liberated in 1954.
Although it became established, information on its abundance and
effectiveness is not available. It was postulated that the widespread use of
organic pesticides had probably reduced the parasitoid to very low levels
(Clausen 1956).
Major natural enemies
Anagyrus ananatis Hym.: Encyrtidae
This moderately polyphagous wasp is widespread in Brazil, where it is
known as a parasitoid of D. brevipes, but also parasitises, inter alia, rhodes
grass scale (Antonina graminis) and citrus mealybug (Planococcus citri)
(Gabriel et al. 1982). It was established in Hawaii (Carter 1937), where it
completes a generation in about 20 days.
Hambletonia pseudococcina Hym.: Encyrtidae
This parasitoid occurs as a bisexual form on D. brevipes in Brazil and as a
parthenogenetic one in Colombia and Venezuela. The bisexual form failed
to reproduce on D. brevipes in Hawaii, but the parthenogenetic form did so
successfully (Carter 1937). About 24 to 30 days is required for the life cycle
under tropical outdoor conditions and up to 4 individuals may emerge from a
single host (Compere 1936). In laboratory trials, H. pseudococcina showed
a high degree of specificity for D. brevipes and did not oviposit in 8 closely
related mealybug species. Of 3 additional mealybugs tested, it attempted
oviposition only in an unidentified species from a grass (Clancy and Pollard
1947).
Pseudiastata nebulosa Dipt.: Drosophilidae
This predator is native to Guatemala. It was introduced to Hawaii in 1924 but
did not become established. Except in the highlands of Guatemala, it is
frequently found in large numbers on a single plant, both above and below
the soil line. It was again introduced in 1932, but the colony died out. This