Classical Biological Control of the Pink Mealybug in Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract The pink mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus , was accidentally introduced in the Caribbean in 1994 before which it was a pest in the Far East. This mealybug has a wide host range and is normally managed in its native habitat by a combination of biological, cultural and chemical control. It was an ideal candidate for implementation of a classical biological control programme in Trinidad and the Caribbean partly because it was an exotic pest. Four natural enemies were chosen to effect suppression of the pink mealybug populations, two coccinellids, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri and Scymnus coccivora and two hymenopteran endoparasitoids, Anagyrus kamali and Gyranusoidea indica . In Trinidad and Tobago, an extensive public awareness campaign, reduction in pesticide applications and release of these natural enemies contributed to the success of the classical biological control programme. All three natural enemies worked harmoniously to reduce pink mealybug populations throughout the Caribbean. Information © The Author 2024