Aphytis melinus DeBach

Aphytis melinus is a common biparental ectoparasitoid of Aonidiella aurantii in India. The parasitoid is not only suppressing the pest population in India but some of its races have been exported to provide similar benefits to the citrus industry throughout the world.

Aphytis melinus is produced in a similar manner as many of other Aphytis spp. production protocol. The pumpkins are infested with scale insect and when Aonidiella aurantii nymphs reach 3rd instar stage, they are exposed to the adults of Aphytis melinus in the ratio of 40:1 for 24 hrs. The parasitoids are then gently aspirated out and the pumpkin carrying Aonidiella aurantii parasitised by Aphytis melinus are either stacked in racks for convenience sake or each of them placed in a cage. The parasitoid completes its development in 10-13 days. The adults also feed on the body fluids of young nymphs of A. aurantii in addition to fine honey streaks provided on a butter paper.