Awadallah, K.T., Ammerman, B.A., Tawfik, M.F.S., & Attia, A.R. 2002 Notes on the new parasitoid species, Neoplatycerus nr. palestinensis (Rivnay) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) on Planococcus ficus (Signoret) (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) in Egypt.. Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control 12(1): 83.

Notes: Ecological and biological studies on the parasitoids associated with the vine mealybug Planococcus ficus, infesting grapes in Egypt were conducted during 1998/99 and 1999/2000. Clausenia josefi, Leptomastix dactylopii and Leptomastidea abnormis [Leptomastidea abnormis] were found during the whole period of the study, while Neoplatycerus nr. palestinensis [Neoplatycerus palestinensis] was found only in April 2000. This is thought to be the first record of Neoplatycerus nr. palestinensis in Egypt. Rearing and biological studies on Neoplatycerus nr. palestinensis showed that a temperature of 30 deg C and 50-55% relative humidity were the most suitable conditions for both its development and reproduction. The second and third nymphal instars, and adult female were the most suitable stages for the parasitoid for producing highest number of progenies. Neoplatycerus nr. palestinensis is an arrhenotokous species. The unfertilized eggs developed into males only, while an average of 133.8 offspring were counted per fertilized female.