Apoanagyrus lopezi explained

Anagyrus lopezi is a species of parasitic wasp native to Central America. It is used as biological control agent against the cassava mealybug (Phenacoccus manihoti).

Large-scale deployment of this^[1] parasitoid was done in Africa ^[2] and was successfully achieved in Thailand and several other Southeast Asian countries in 2010.^{[3] [4]}

In 2010, huge number (lakhs) of wasp were airdropped in Thailand to control mealy bug and the results were amazing.

In 1980 also these wasp were used to control mealy bug in cassava fields of west Africa and reduces pest population by 80–90%.

External links

Web site: African wasps let loose to save cassava. Bangkok Post.

Notes and References

1. Book: Handbook of Biological Control: Principles and Applications of Biological Control. T. W. Fisher. Thomas S. Bellows. L. E. Caltagirone. D. L. Dahlsten. Carl B. Huffaker. G. Gordh. Elsevier. 1999. 9780080533018. 800.
2. [Parasite Rex: Inside the Bizarre World of Nature's Most Dangerous Creatures]
3. News: Scientists mount a 'sting operation' in Thailand to tackle a devastating pest outbreak . Thailand's Department of Agriculture is expected to officially start the release of Anagyrus lopezi (the wasp's scientific name) as a form of biological control in the country's northeastern province of Khon Kaen.... . Physorg.com . 2010-07-16 . 2010-07-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100718073225/http://www.physorg.com/news198404252.html. 18 July 2010 . live.
4. News: Insektenplage in Thailand: "Killerkommando" auf dem Weg . n-tv . de . 2010-07-16 . 2010-07-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100718063508/http://www.n-tv.de/panorama/Killerkommando-auf-dem-Weg-article1076906.html. 18 July 2010 . live.