Citripar Parasitic Wasp

Scientific name: Anagyrus vladimiri.

Anagyrus vladimiri is a parasitoid wasp of the genus Anagyrus, found throughout the world and used as a biocontrol agent of mealybugs that are pests of agricultural crops in moist, warm habitats. 
Being parasitoids, these wasps lay their eggs on or in the bodies of other arthropods, sooner or later causing the death of the hosts.
Many parasitoid wasps are considered beneficial insects and are commercially applied to control agricultural pests as natural enemies because different parasitic wasp species specialize in hosts from different insect orders, most often Lepidoptera, though some select beetles, flies or bugs while others exclusively attack spiders.
Parasitoid wasp species also differ in which host life stage they attack: eggs, larvae, pupae or adults. They mainly follow one of two major strategies within parasitism: either they are endoparasitic; developing inside the host and koinobiont; allowing the host to continue to feed, develop and moult or they are ectoparasitic; developing outside the host and idiobiont; paralysing the host immediately.

Use for:

• Biological control of citrus mealybug (Planococcus citri) and vine mealybug (Planococcus ficus). 
• Can be used preventively or at first signs of pest presence.
  
• Optimally used in combination with predatory beetles against big infestations of multi species mealybugs.

Mode of action:

Adult female parasitic wasps parasitize the mealybugs, particularly the second and third larval and adult stage of female citrus mealybugs and vine mealybugs. 

Visually, the wasp pupae develop in the mummified skin of the host which look like swollen mealybug larvae. Empty pupae hosts have an irregular exit hole at the posterior end of the mummy after the parasitic wasps emerge.

Product specifications:

Application:

• Use a pen or sharp tool to make a hole in the sticker on the lid.
• Use the label to hang the tube in the crop following the instructions on the label itself.
• Hang the tube on a place out of direct sunlight.
• Leave tubes in the crop for at least two weeks.
• Carry out adequate ant control.
  

Dosage:

The dosage of Citripar depends on climate, crop and mealybug density and should always be adjusted to the particular situation. Start introduction preventively or as soon as the first signs of infestation appear. Introduction rates typically range from 0.1 to 0.5 per m²/release. Releases should be repeated at least 3 times at an interval of 1 to 2 weeks. 

Environmental conditions:

The parasitic wasps are most effective at temperatures around 25°C / 77°F. The lowest temperature at which development can occur is 13°C / 55°F, the highest temperature is 38°C / 100°F.

Storage:

• Apply as soon as possible after receipt. If necessary, the product can be stored for 1 to 2 days.
• Store at temperatures of 10°C to 15°C / 50°F to 59°F.
• Store in the dark.

Caution:

• Pesticides can have direct or indirect effects on biological solutions.
• Only use products that are permitted in your country or state and crop.