Biological Control of Egyptian Mealybug, Icerya aegyptiaca (Douglas) Infesting Agave Cactus, Agave americana by Releasing Parasitoid Anagyrus pseudococci

Heikal, Gamila A. M.; Saad, Abla F. A.

doi:10.21608/jppp.2023.239010.1181

Biological Control of Egyptian Mealybug, Icerya aegyptiaca (Douglas) Infesting Agave Cactus, Agave americana by Releasing Parasitoid Anagyrus pseudococci

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt

10.21608/jppp.2023.239010.1181

Abstract

Current study aimed to evaluate the management of Egyptian Mealybug, Icerya aegyptiaca (Douglas) (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) infesting Agave Cactus, Agave americana L. (Fam.: Agavaceae) through releasing different levels of parasitoid Anagyrus pseudococci (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). Experiments were conducted on Agave Cactus during 2022 at two different areas (governorates), Al-Zohrya park (Cairo Governorate) and Antoniadis park (Alexandria Governorate). Three levels of the parasitoid A. pseudococci were released at both of the two successive zones; 25 egg /plant, 50egg /plant and 75egg /plant. Results obtained show that in Al-Zohrya park in the 1^st level of the parasitoid releasing (25egg /plant) the percentage of reduction (%) in the mean number of the successive insect I. aegyptiaca increased gradually whereas it was 23, 34, 44, 54 and 61% on first-March, mid-March, first-April, mid-April, first-May and mid-May respectively. Also, in the 2^nd level of the parasitoid releasing (50eggs/plant) the percentage of reduction % in the mean number of I. aegyptiaca were increased gradually to reach to; 26, 38, 47, 57 and 69% respectively in the same times. Lastly, in the 3^rd level of the parasitoid releasing (75 eggs/plant) the percentage of reduction % in the mean number of I. aegyptiaca increased gradually to reach to; 29, 40, 52, 61 and 70 % respectively in the same times. Results were in the same trend in Antoniadis park.

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