Biological Control of Longan Stink Bug, Tessaratoma papillosa Drury

Abstract

A survey and study of natural enemies of the longan stink bug, Tessaratoma papillosa Drury, was under taken in longan orchards of Lampoon and Chiamg Mai provinces during 1981 - 84. Two important egg parasites were identified, Anastatus sp. (Hymenoptera : Eupelmidae) and Ooencyrtus sp. (Hymenoptera : Encyrtidae). Approximately 48 percent of stink bug eggs were found to be parasitised by Anastatus in 1981, and 59 percent were parasitised by Ooencyrtus in 1982. the release of the Anastatus egg parasite early in the longan season was able to give 100 percent parasistisation and control of the stink bug.
Artificial mass rearing of the Anastatus egg parasite has been successfully undertaken using eri silkworm, Philosamia ricini boisd, eggs as an alternative host.
Field testing of the control of the longan stink bug in commercial orchards, through the release of teh Anastatus egg parasits demonstrated a significant supression of the stink bug population and significantly reduced the cost of pesticide applications.