Proceedings of the Hawaiian Entomological Society (2011) 43, 23-31

Mark G. Wright and Joselito M. Diez (2011)
Egg parasitism by Trissolcus basalis (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) in architecturally varied habitats, and observations on parasitism in macadamia nut orchards and other habitats following augmentative release
Proceedings of the Hawaiian Entomological Society 43, 23-31
Abstract: The ability of T. basalis to locate and parasitize Nezara viridula eggs was investigated in habitats with different architectures (monocot, broad leaf shrubs, mixed weeds). Trissolcus basalis demonstrated a significant preference for searching in weedy habitats dominated by Crotalaria pallida. Dispersal and host utilization efficiency of T. basalis was quantified in macadamia orchards on trees and weeds, and in weed- infested pastures. Parasitism of N. viridula eggs in macadamia nut orchards on trees and weeds was low. In weedy pasture the effects of predation (42% of eggs destroyed) and parasitism (~16% of eggs destroyed) appeared to be greater than in orchards. Quantification of the level of indispensable mortality contributed by T. basalis and predatory insects is needed. While augmentative release of T. basalis in macadamia nut orchards shows little potential for suppression of N. viridula, releases in weedy habitats adjacent to orchards may contribute to reducing numbers of N. viridula moving into orchards from surrounding habitat by increasing mortality at the egg stage. The economics of implementing augmentative releases of T. basalis in macadamia nut production will likely render augmentative release strategies impractical.
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Database assignments for author(s): Mark G. Wright

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
inundative/inoculative release

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Nezara viridula	Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia)	U.S.A. (Hawaii)
Trissolcus basalis (parasitoid)	Nezara viridula	Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia)	U.S.A. (Hawaii)