Introduction of Ageniaspis citricola Logvinovskaya,1983 (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) for controlling the citrus leaf miner Phyllocnistis citrella Staiton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae: Phyllocnistinae) in Yaracuy State, Venezuela

Abstract

To enhance endemic parasitism of Phyllocnistis citrella Staiton, 700 specimens of Ageniaspis citricola Logvinovskaya were imported from Peru and released at Instivoc farm, Yaracuy State, in 1998. In 2000 the parasitoid was detected in six localities of Yaracuy parazitizing 37.18 % of P. citrella (a range of 23.12 to 68.11 %). Contrastingly endemic parasitism reached only 10.65 % (a range of 0 to 31.53 %). The parasitoid adapted well to the climatic conditions of Yaracuy.