Parasitism potential of<i>Aenasius bambawalei</i>on the invasive mealybug<i>Phenacoccus solenopsis</i>

Abstract

Functional response of Aenasius bambawalei to varying densities of Phenacoccus solenopsis fit the Holling's type II response. Search efficiency of the parasitoid significantly decreased with increasing parasitoid density. A. bambawalei has a high parasitism level on P. solenopsis under laboratory conditions and should be considered as a biological control agent.