Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and it’s parasitoid Aenasius arizonensis (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Surveys were conducted for two years from 2017 to 2018 in Dindugul district of Tamil Nadu to explore the parasitoids associated with Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley on different host plants in Tamil Nadu and each one encyrtid and aphelinid parasitoids were recorded among which Aenasius arizonensis (Girault) was dominant and primary parasitoid. Overall percentage ranged from 4.44 to 56%. The parasitoids were active during all around the year. The collected P. solenopsis were reared under laboratory conditions and observed for possible parasitoid emergence. Aenasius arizonensis (Chalcidoidea: Encyrtidae), an indigenous parasitoid 90% and along with hyperparasitoid as Promuscidea unfasciativentris Girault is also recorded. The tritrophic relationship is presented in a form of flowchart for easy understanding of biocontrol workers.