Pacheco da Silva, V.C., Garcia, M.S., & Botton, M.I. 2017 DiversityBiology of Blepyrus clavicornis (Compere) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae),a parasitoid of Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret) (Hemiptera:Pseudococcidae). Revista Brasileira de Entomologia 61(3): 257-261
Keywords:
Notes: Encyrtids (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) are the most important and diverse group of natural enemies of mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). Blepyrus clavicornis (Compere) is the most common parasitoidassociated with Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret) in the Serra Gaúcha region, Brazil. We conducted laboratory studies to assess the development time, sex ratio, adult longevity, host stage selection for parasitism,and effect of food on the longevity of adult females of B. clavicornis. Although B. clavicornis can provide significant natural control, reducing the number of individuals in the next generation by parasitizing advanced mealybug instars, we consider it unpromisingvfor use in applied biological-control programs. Furthermore, the predominance of males in the progenyvobserved here suggests that P. viburni may not be the most suitable or preferred host for B. clavicornis.
