Parasitism Potential and Laboratory Rearing of Psyllaephagus sp., a Newly Discovered Parasitoid of Cacopsylla chinensis

Psyllaephagus sp. (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is a newly recognized and important parasitoid of Cacopsylla chinensis (Yang Li) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), pest pear orchards. Its parasitism potential rearing were studied in the laboratory. The studies showed that most suitable hosts fourth- fifth-instar nymphs psyllids (C. chinensis). development duration females males was 15.25 ± 0.37 13.57 0.27 days when laying eggs fourth-instar psyllid nymphs. wasps did not survive longer than three they fed only water, while survived about an average 20 (23.20 1.12 for 19.00 0.80 males) 20% honey water. provision water could thus increase adult longevity significantly. lifetime fecundity 21.60 0.88. Tests efficiency wasp’s functional response Holling type II, with number parasitized increasing host density to maximum rate. model suggested single female parasitize 13.66 per day. mutual interference foraging occurred at high densities. has as biocontrol agent use against C. chinensis.