A survey for pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (green) and its parasitoids in Egypt, Spain and Morocco [electronic resource].

Includes references.

A search for the pink hibiscus mealybug (PHMB), Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) and its parasitoids were conducted in Egypt, Spain, and Morocco in 2000-2001. Ornamental hibiscus host plants were found abundantly in all 3 countries but PHMB was found only in Egypt. Among several parasitoids recovered from PHMB, a gregarious parasitoid, Allotropa sp. near mecrida (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) was by far the most abundant parasitoid attacking PHMB in Egypt. Primary parasitoids made up 94.9% of total parasitoids emerging and 5.1% were secondary. A potential for a successful introduction biological control program against this pest in California is enhanced by the collaborative efforts of personnel from several agencies: the Plant Protection Institute of Egypt, the University of California at Riverside, CDFA- Biological Control Program, and USDA-APHIS.

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