Insect Science and its Application (1987) 8, 857-859

P. Neuenschwander and D. Sullivan (1987)
Interactions between Epidinocarsis lopezi (De Santis) (Hym., Encyrtidae) and its host Phenacoccus manihoti Mat.-Ferr. (Hom., Pseudococcidae)
Insect Science and its Application 8 (4-6), 857-859
Abstract: Epidinocarsis lopezi proved to be an efficient biological control agent of the cassava mealybug (CM), Phenacoccus manihoti, despite apparently low parasitization rates. Laboratory experiments indicated that its killing power at higher temperatures was two to three times higher than the per cent mummy formation suggested. Following an attack by an E. lopezi female some CM hosts were killed through host feeding and some through successful development of the parasitoid larva, processes which both benefit he parasitoid. If the host was found unsuitable, no egg was laid, and the CM survived the attack. Other CM died from the wasp attack without forming a mummy. This mortality is attributed to mutilation and unsuccessful larval development of E. lopezi. Most ovipositions induced a defence reaction by the host that lead to melanization. This process involved mainly wound tissue, sometimes partial encapsulation of the tail end of the parasitoid larva, and infrequently complete and fatal encapsulation of the parasitoid larva.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Peter Neuenschwander, Daniel J. Sullivan

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Phenacoccus manihoti	Cassava (Manihot esculenta)
Apoanagyrus lopezi (parasitoid)	Phenacoccus manihoti	Cassava (Manihot esculenta)