Project number: US E/A A3
Project leader: Addison, P
Vine mealybug (VMB) continues to be a key pest in South African vineyards. Biological control is important for this pest but is not adequate for economic control. An additional biological control agent is needed for mass releases on vine mealybug and Anagyrus pseudococci was identified as one of the most important parasitoids biologically controlling this pest. Basic information on the developmental biology was lacking and was needed in order to understand the importance of this parasitoid, in order to optimize rearing and release methodology.