BIOCONTROL OF HEMIPTERAN INSECTS

1. Biological Control of Hemipteran Insects
Mandeep Rathee Ph. D. Entomology, CCSHAU,
HISAR

2. Biological control
Biological control usually refers to the action of parasites, predators or
pathogens on a pest population which reduces its numbers below a level
causing economic injury.
Cyclic relationship between a biocontrol agent and its host or prey (pest)
1. Importation 2. Augmentation 3. Conservation
Methods

3. Order Hemiptera
• Predominant feature - Piercing-sucking mouthparts.
• Hemipterans are omnivores, alternating between a plant-based and an animal-based diet.
• Some species are important agricultural pests damaging crops by the direct action of
sucking sap like red cotton bug, but also harming them indirectly by being the vectors of
serious viral diseases such as whiteflies, aphids.
• Members of the families Reduviidae and Nabidae are obligate predators. Some predatory
species are used in biological pest control; these include various nabids and even some
members of families that are primarily phytophagous, such as the genus Geocoris in the
family Lygaeidae.
Hemiptera
Cicadomorpha (cicadas) Fulgomorpha (planthoppers,
leafhoppers etc.)
Sternorrhyncha (aphids,
whiteflies, scale insects etc)
Heteroptera (Shield bugs,
assasian bugs etc)

4. S. No Name of the insect Common name Order Family
1 Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby Citrus black fly Hemiptera Aleyrodidae
2 Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) Tobacco whitefly, cotton
whitefly Hemiptera Aleyrodidae
3 Dialeurodes citri (Ashmead) Citrus whitefly Hemiptera Aleyrodidae
4 Aphis craccivora Koch Cowpea aphid Hemiptera Aphididae
5 Eriosoma lanigerum (Hausmann) Woolly apple aphid Hemiptera Aphididae
6 Liaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach) Turnip aphid Hemiptera Aphididae
7 Myzus nicotina Blackman Green peach aphid Hemiptera Aphididae
8 Myzus persicae (Sulzer) Green peach aphid Hemiptera Aphididae
9 Coccus viridis (Green) Green scale Hemiptera Coccidae
10 Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) California red scale Hemiptera Diaspididae
www.nbair.res.in
Agricultural Important Insects

5. 11 Chrysomphalus aonidum (Linnaeus) Black scale Hemiptera Diaspididae
12 Lepidosaphes beckii (Newman) Purple scale Hemiptera Diaspididae
13 Melanospis glomerata (Green) Sugarcane scale, Black
Araucaria scale Hemiptera Diaspididae
14 Quadraspidiotus perniciosus
(Comstock) San Jose Scale Hemiptera Diaspididae
15 Pyrilla perpusilla (Walker) Indian sugarcane
leafhopper Hemiptera Lophophidae
16 Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green Pink Hibiscus mealy bug Hemiptera Pseudococcidae
17 Planococcus citri (Risso) Citrus mealy bug Hemiptera Pseudococcidae
18 Planococcus lilacinus (Cokerell) Coffee mealy bug Hemiptera Pseudococcidae
19 Heteropsylla cubana Crawford Subabul psyllid,
leucaena psyllid Hemiptera Psyllidae
20 Antilochus coqueberti (Fabricius) Pyrrhocorid bug Hemiptera Pyrrhocoridae
21 Dysdercus cingulatus (Fabricius) Red cotton bug Hemiptera Pyrrhocoridae
22 Stephanitis typicus (Distant) Coconut lace wing bug,
Banana lace wing bug Hemiptera Tingidae
www.nbair.res.in

6. S. No Name of the insect Category Order Family
1 Anthocoris minki Dhorn Predator of Psyllids Hemiptera Anthocoridae
2. Rhynocoris fuscipes (Fabricius) Predator of aphids, nymphs,
eggs and immature stages Hemiptera Reduviidae
3. Rhynocoris marginatus (Fabricius) Predator of aphids, nymphs,
eggs and immature stages Hemiptera Reduviidae
4. Cyrtorhinus lividipennis Reuter
Predator of nymphs and
adults of brown plant hopper
& partly plant feeder
Hemiptera Miridae
5. Stethoconus praefectus (Distant) Predator on Avacado Lace
bug Hemiptera Miridae
Major predators of Hemiptera order
www.nbair.res.in

7. LANDMARK EXAMPLES IN CLASSICAL BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
Insect Natural enemy
Year of
importation
From country To country
cottony cushion
scale, Icerya
purchasi
coccinellid, Rodolia
cardinalis
1888 Australia California (McLeod, 1939)
Greenhouse Whitefly,
Trialeurodes
vaporariorum
aphelinid parasite
Encarsia formosa
1933-1934 Tropical America Australia
(Clausen, 1978),
(McLeod, 1939)
Southern Green Stink
Bug, Nezara viridula
egg parasite Trissolcus
basalis
1933 Egypt Australia (Clausen, 1978)
Citrus blackfly,
Aleurocanthus
woglumi
Prospaltella smithi, P.
clypealis, P. opulenta,
Amitus hesperidum and
Eretmocerus serius
1949-1950
Pakistan and western
India
Mexico (Shaw, 1950).
Spotted alfalfa aphid,
Terioaphis trifolii
aphidiids Praon
exsoletum, Trioxys
complanatus and the
aphelinid Aphelinus
asychis
1959 New Mexico California
(Van den Bosch,
1959)
California red scale,
Aonidiella aurantii
ectoparasites Aphytis
chrysomphali, A.
lignanensis, A.
melinus, endoparasites
Prospallella perniciosi
1902
1947
1956
1949
China,
India,
Taiwan and southern
China
California
(Van den Bosch
and Haramoto,
1953)
San Jose scale,
Quadraspidiotus
perniciosus
Prospaltella perniciosi 1947 California USSR (Mathys, 1966)
(Caltagirone, 1981)

8. Successful Examples of CBC in India
1. Cottony Cushion Scale, Icerya purchasi Maskell (Margarodidae)
Icerya purchasi (Origin: Australia) was probably introduced
on imported orchard stock or flowering plants from Sri Lanka
and it spread to cultivated wattles, rose-bushes and citrus. It
was first reported from Nilgiris (Tamil Nadu) in 1928 as a pest
of cultivated wattle, Acacia decurrens and other Acacia spp.
The coccinellid beetle, Rodolia cardinalis (Origin:
Australia), was introduced to India in 1926 via USA
(California) and South Africa and in 1930 via Egypt for the
control of I. purchasi. The beetle was released in the Nilgiris
in 1930 and it successfully controlled I. purchasi.
2. Mealybugs
Common mealybug (Planococcus citri), grape mealybug
(Maconellicoccus hirsutus), mango mealybug (Rastrococcus
iceryoides ), spherical mealybug (Nipaecoccus viridis ), striped
mealybug (Ferrisia virgata), oriental mealybug (Planococcus
lilacinus,) and pineapple mealybug (Dysmicoccus brevipes) are
‘hard to kill pests’ not affected by foliar application of
insecticides since they are covered with waxy coating.

9. The first intentionally introduction was the coccinellid
predator, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri which was introduced in
June 1898 by Mr. H.O. Newport, an amateur entomologist and
coffee planter of Palni hills (Tamil Nadu).
Eight commercial insectaries are supplying C.
montrouzieri to the growers. Biocontrol Research Laboratory
of Pest Control India (P.) Ltd. established in Bangalore in
1981, has been producing and supplying this predator since
inception.
3. Common Mealybug, Planococcus citri (Risso) (Pseudococcidae)
Planococcus citri was described from citrus in southern
France. In India, it is a pest of citrus, coffee, passion fruit, cut
flowers and many other fruit crops and wild plants. this pest
prefers to feed on the fruit stalk or on the berries resulting in
their drop.
The encyrtid parasitoid Leptomastix dactylopii
(Origin: Brazil) was introduced into India in 1983 from
Trinidad, West Indies. It is capable of parasitising
Planococcus citri and P. lilacinus.

10. 4. San Jose Scale, Quadraspidiotus perniciosus (Comstock) (Diaspididae)
Quadraspidiotus perniciosus is a polyphagous pest of Oriental
origin. It is a serious pest of apple in north-western India. It also
attacks other deciduous trees, poplars and willows.
Aphelinid parasitoid Encarsia perniciosi (Origin: Far
East) strain from California was introduced in 1958 and Illinois,
Chinese and Russian strains were introduced in 1960 for the
biological suppression of San Jose scale. Russian strain gave 89
per cent parasitism in Himachal Pradesh.
5. Woolly Aphid, Eriosoma lanigerum (Hausmann) (Aphididae)
Eriosoma lanigerum is a native of Eastern United States. It was
probably accidentally introduced to India from England as
indicated from its record in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh
where nursery stocks were imported.
For the control of woolly aphid, exotic aphelinid
parasitoid, Aphelinus mali, a native of North America, was
introduced from UK at Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh). The
parasitoid could control woolly aphid in Kullu valley (Himachal
Pradesh) and has spread to Kashmir valley.

11. 6. Spiralling Whitefly, Aleurodicus dispersus Russell (Aleyrodidae)
Spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicus dispersus, was first reported from
Kerala in 1995. It causes serious damage to avocado, banana, cassava,
guava, papaya and mango, besides sevaral ornamental trees.
Exotic aphelinid parasitoids, Encarsia guadeloupae (Origin:
Carribbean region/Central America) collected from Minicoy Island of
Lakshadweep and brought to main land have established well,
causing perceptible reduction in pest population. Parasitism levels due
to both parasitoids vary from 29-70% and exceed 90% during some
parts of the year.
7. Subabul Psyllid, Heteropsylla cubana Crawford (Psyllidae)
Subabul, Leucaena leucocephala was introduced into India for
cattle feed and fuel for use of the rural population. Leucaena psyllid
Heteropsylla cubana, a native of South America invaded subabul in
1988. It devastated subabul plantations in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil
Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
The coccinellid predator, Curinus coeruleus (origin:
South America) was obtained from Thailand in 1988 for the
biological suppression of H. cubana.
Singh, 2004

12. Case study 1. Natural parasitization of sugarcane leaf hopper, Pyrilla perpusilla (Walk.) in
Uttarakhand
(Kumar et al., 2008)
The experiment was conducted at Crop Research Center of GBPAUT, Pantnagar. The
maximum number of egg mass, nymph and adult per leaf of pyrilla observed was 6.67,
22.67 and 18.00 on 30th , 30th and 15th August, respectively. The highest parasitization of
eggs masses by Tetrastichus pyrillae was observed in the month of October i.e. 85.33%
indicating peak activity of parasitoid. The maximum population of egg, pupa and adult/ leaf
of E. melanoleuca were 8.00, 18.67 and 27.33 on 30th Sept., 15th of Oct. and 30th Oct.,
respectively.
Case study 2: Natural enemies of Pyrilla perpusilla Wlk. in Northern Pakistan
The experiment was conduct in sprayed areas of Mardan and unsprayed areas of Tordher in
Pakistan. Results revealed that maximum population of predator, Epipyrops melanolecua
Fletcher was found during month of October at Tordher and in November at Mardan. Other
predators viz., Coccinella septumpunctata, C. undecimpunctata, Menochilus sexmaculatus
and Brumus suturalis found in low no. and no significant difference observed in sprayed
and unsprayed fields. The parasite, Ooenocyrtus papillionis Ashm. incidence was 9, 8 and
12 per cent during sept., Oct. and Nov., respectively in sprayed areas whereas in unsprayed
field corresponding figures were 10, 19 and 33 per cent. It showed highest incidence during
November.
(Irshad and Mirza, 1982)

13. Case study 3: Biological control of the sugarcane woolly aphid (Ceratovacuna lanigera) in
Indian sugarcane through the release of predators Dipha aphidivora Meyrick (Lepidoptera:
Pyralidae), Micromus igorotus Bank (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae) and Eupeodus confractor
Wiedemann (Diptera: Syrphidae)
During 2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005-06, 49.23% , 76.25% and 77.87% control was achieved through predation,
respectively. Release of predators at 2500 larvae and/or cocoons per ha effectively controlled the SWA.
(Patil et al. 2007)

14. Case study 4: Preliminary studies on field parasitization and biology of solenopsis mealybug
parasitoid, Aenasius bambawalei Hayat (Encyrtidae:Hymenoptera).
(Ram et al., 2009)
Case study 5. Population trends of Aenasius bambawalei Hayat and its role in controlling mealy
bug Phencoccus solenopsis Tinsley at Tandojam Sindh
(Solangi and Mahmood, 2010)
Host Plant Parasitism percent
Abutilon indicum 94
Cotton 93
Okra 91
Sunflower 90
Rose of China 89
Datura 88
Egg plant 87
Withania somnifera 55

15. Population trends of mealy bug and parasitoid Aenasius bambawalei on Abutilon indicum
Population trends of mealy bug and parasitoid Aenasius bambawalei on cotton

16. Case study: 6 Papaya mealybug and its biological control
1. Parasitoids introduced in India for management of papaya mealybug
Order Family Species Reference
Hymenoptera encrytidae Acerophagus papayae Jothi et al. (2011)
Hymenoptera encrytidae Anagyrus loecki (Noyes) Nakata et al.(2011)
Hymenoptera encrytidae Pseudleptomastrix mexicana Nakata et al.(2011)
2. Predator reported from India
Order Family Species Reference
Lepidoptera Lycaenidae Spalgis epius (Westwood) Krishnamurthy and Mani
(2011).
Coleoptera Coccinellidae Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Jonathan et al. (2011)
Coleoptera Coccinellidae Scymnus taiwanus (Ohta) Nakata et al. (2011)
Coleoptera Coccinellidae Cheilomenus sexmaculatus Jonathan et al. (2011)
Coleoptera Coccinellidae Coccinella transversalis Jonathan et al. (2011)
Neuroptera Chrysopidae Chrysoperla carnea Ayyasamy and Ragupathy
(2010)
Diptera Syrphidae Ischiodon scutellaris Shylesha et al. (2011)

17. Entomopathogenic fungi Reference
Metarrhizum anisopliae (Metsch.) Shylesha et al., 2010
Verticillium lecani (Zimm.) Mani Chellappan, 2011
Paecilomyces pictus Ayyasamy and Ragupathy, 2010
Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Shylesha et al., 2010
Neozygyites Chilocorus nigrata Fab Shylesha et al., 2010
3. Entomopathogenic fungi
Among the parasitoids released, the
highest proliferation and field activity
was observed in the case of A. papayae,
which accounted for 75.6 – 81.7%
parasitization followed by P. mexicana
(9.3-24.4%) whereas A. loecki
registered comparatively very poor
performance (0.7- 9.0 %)
Parasitoid State Plants Year Reduction in pest
population
A. papayae kerala Rubber, Plantation crops 2011 80%
A. papayae Odisha Agricultural crops 2011 70-80%
A. papayae Bangalore Jatropha 2010 80-90%
A. papayae Maharashtra Papaya 2010 85-92%
A. papayae Tripura Papaya 2009-10 60%
(Dey, 2016)

18. Case study 7: Biological control of rice leafhoppers and planthoppers in Andhra
Pradesh
The study resulted that the mymarid Anagrus sp. and the trichogrammatid Oligosita sp. are
the most common egg parasitoids of Nilaparvata lugens, while another mymarid,
Gonatocerus sp., and another trichogrammatid, Paracentrobia sp., attack eggs of
Nephotettix virescens and N. nigropictus. Among the predators, the mirid bug Cyrtorhinus
lividipennis and Coccinella arcuata prey on Nilaparvata lugens.
The main pathogens infecting these pests include Beauveria bassiana, which
attacks Nephotettix virescens and N. nigropictus during September-November,
and Entomophthora fumosa, which infects Nilaparvata lugens during September.
Gupta and Pawar, 1989
Case study 8: Bioefficacy of Beauveria bassiana and Paecilomyces amoeneroseus against rice
green leaf hopper
Effect of 22 h of feeding access of leafhoppers on membrane sachet (containing spores
suspension + 10 % sucrose solution) on survival of Nephotettix virescens
Fungi Mortality
Beauveria bassiana 95
Paecilomyces amoeneroseus 20
Control No mortality
(Niazi et al., 2002)

19. Case Study 9: Efficacy of some entomopthogenic fungi against brown plant hopper,
Nilaparvata lugens Stal in irrigated rice
Eggs Nymphs Adult
(Reddy et al., 2013)

20. Cumulative mean effect of entomopathogenic fungi on C. lividipennis and spiders
Mirid bug
Wolf spider, Pardosa
pseudoannulata (Reddy et al., 2013)

21. Case study 10. Effectiveness of leafhopper control varies with lacewing release methods
Lacewing eggs were mixed with corn grit and placed
in 5-gallon containers
Studies in experimental plots and commercial
vineyards showed that releases of green lacewings at
rates between 3,000 and 8,000 per acre for each
variegated grape leafhopper, Erythroneura variabilis
brood (costing $9 to $24 per acre for each brood)
reduced leafhopper densities up to 35%.
(Daane et al., 1993)
Average leafhopper densities found in lacewing release and no release
plots in three Thompson seedless vineyards in (A) 1991 anwe) 1992.
C. carnea eggs were released a approximately 3,500/acre in the first
brood and 7,000acre in the second brood.

22. Case study 11. Effects of different management schedules on parasitization of whitefly pupae by
Encarsia sp.
The experiment was conducted on pupal parasitization of whitefly by Encasrsia sp. on
cotton crop at CCSHAU, Hisar. The results revealed that maximum pupal parasitization
with 74.79 per cent was observed in S2 (Plants sprayed with nimbecidine at 5 days
interval + yellow sticky trap) followed by 70.82 per cent in S1 (plants sprayed with
nimbecidine at 5 days interval) which was significantly at par with (untreated control).
(Mehra and Rolania, 2015)
Encarsia species and Eretmocerus mundus are important parasitoids for control of the
greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodus vaporarium (Van Lenteren, 1986), ash whitefly (En.
inaron) (Gould et al., 1992) and citrus whitefly (En. lahorensis) (Argov, 1986).
Recently, additional Encarsia species have been included in biological control
efforts in California using En. protransvena and En. sophia (=transvena) against B.tabaci
and En. variegata against citrus whitefly.

23. Case study 12. Development of Encarsia bimaculata (Heraty and Polaszek) (Hymenoptera:
Aphelinidae) in Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) nymphs
(Antony et al., 2004)
female laying egg
ovipositional puncturing female egg
extraembryonic membrane first instar tail
second instar, exuviae
third instar larva, S: spiracle; L, ileolabial gland prepupa laying meconium
virgin female laying unfertilized egg
on E. bimaculata female third instar on E. transvena female prepupa, on E. bimaculata female early black pupa

24. (Antony et al., 2004)
Male egg on third instar Male egg on prepupa First instar
Second instar Third instar Third instar consumes the host;
Prepupa Black pupa Adult E. bimaculata prior to emergence
Male and female E. bimaculata
Hyperparasitized male again
parasitized by another E. bimaculata
E. bimaculata black pupa

25. Case study 13. Evaluation of Three Different Insect Pathogenic Fungi for the Control of
Dysdercus koenigii and Oxycarenus hyalinipennis
 Virulence of three different entomopathogenic fungi i.e., B. bassiana, Isaria
fumosorosea and M. anisopliae were evaluated against the adults of red
cotton bug.
 Cumulative percentage mortality of B. bassiana, I. fumosorosea and M.
anisopliae on red cotton bug were 95.00, 70.00 and 80.00 respectively over a
period of 7 days at the concentrations of 3×108 spores/ml.
 B. bassiana with lowest LC50 value of 2.5×107 spores/ml and LT50 of 4.32
days proved to be most virulent isolate against dusky cotton bug as compared
to I. fumosorosea with 8.5×107 spores/ml and M. anisopliae 8.1×107
spores/ml.
 Accumulative percentage mortality of these three insect killing fungi, B.
bassiana, I. fumosorosea and M. anisopliae on dusky cotton bug were 90.00,
75.00 and 75.00, respectively over a period of 7 days at the concentrations of
3×108 spores/ml.
(Khan et al., 2010)

26.  Most are egg parasitoids belongs to family Platygastridae and include several species in
the genera Telenomus, Paratelenomus, Gryon sp., Trissolcus (all formerly in the family
Scelionidae) and Ooencyrtus (Encyrtidae).
 Field parasitism rates ranging from 15% to 25% were reported for Telenomus on soil-
borne eggs during March and April in India, but wasp numbers decreased in May.
Higher parasitism (30%) was recorded for eggs that were not covered by soil (Samuel,
1942).
 Laboratory parasitism rates of 22% for soil-borne eggs and 25% for eggs on the soil
surface were reported for Typhodytes (Typhodytes sp.), but a parasitism rate of only 18–
20% was found in the field (Samuel, 1942). Ghosal (2006) reported a reduviid bug
(Harpactor segmentarius Germ.) feeding on B. hilaris nymphs and adults.
Case study 14. Management of an Invasive Stink Bug, Bagrada hilaris - a review
(Palumbo et al., 2015)

27. Fungi as a Biocontrol agent for the management of Insect pests – a review
 The fungi like Metarhiziun anisopliae (Metch.) Sorokin., Beuveria bassiana (Bals.)
Vuillemin, and Lecanicillium lecanii (Zimm.) have gained the great scope as a
biological control agents for the insect pest management. L. lecanii is one of the
important entomopathogenic fungi, which was formerly known as Verticillium
lecanii Zimm .
 The effectiveness of L. lecanii was studied and demonstrated first in India by
Easwaramoorthy (1978). It is effective for the control of sap feeding pest like
aphids, whiteflies, scale insects, thrips and mealy bugs.
 Kim et al. (2002) reported that lower concentration (1 x 103-107 conidia /ml) of
fungus exhibited relatively low mortality in adult whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, while
higher concentrations (109 and 108 conidia /ml) exhibited almost 100% mortality of
B. tabaci, after 7 and 9 days of treatments under greenhouse conditions.
(Shinde et al., 2010)

28. List
of
commercial
products
of
L.
lecanii,
(Shinde et al., 2010)

29. Beauveria Mycotrol Whiteflies/Aphids/Thrips Field Crops Mycotech, USA
bassiana
Naturalis Sucking insects cotton, glasshouse crops Troy
BioScience, USA
Metarhizium Bio Magic Brown plant hopper Rice T. Stanes, India
anisopliae
Verticillum Vertilec Aphids, Whiteflies Glasshouse crops Koppert, Holland
lecanii Mycotal
Inovert Aphids, Scales, Mealybugs - Inora, India
Biocatch Whiteflies Cotton T. Stanes, India
Verticare Mealybugs & Scales Citrus Viswamitra Bio Agro,
India
Paecelomyces PFR-97TM Whiteflies/Thrips Glasshouse crops Thermo Trilogy,
fumosoroseus USA
Commercial Scale Production of Mycoinsecticides in different countries
(Ramanujam et al., 2014)

30. Biological Control of pests using entomopathogenic fungi in India
(Ramanujam et al., 2014)

31. Entomophthorales fungus
Epizootics of the entomophthoralean fungus
Pandora neoaphidis in an aphid population
Rhopalosiphum maidis sporulation of
P. neoaphidis on legs and antennaea
Pandora neoaphidis (Remaudie`re & Hennebert) Humber
Zoophthora radicans (Brefeld) Batko
Neozygites fresenii (Nowakowski) Batko
Entomophthora planchoniana Cornu
sporulation
(Wraight et al., 2009)
Aphids

32. Nymph of potato leafhopper, Empoasca
fabae infected with Zoophthora radicans
Adult E. kraemeri killed by Z.
radicans (green colouration of
fresh fungal growth )
Entomophthorales Fungus Causing Epizootics
Nymph of E. fabae
killed by Z. radicans
Fungal outgrowth from the host cadaver
forms a mat of specialized hyphae that
actively discharge infectious conidia
Leafhopper
(Wraight et al., 2009)

33. Conclusion
Biological control is an eco-friendly approach and
helpful in effective management of serious insect-pests
of agricultural crops.
There are several landmark examples in classical
biological control in India as well as in other countries
such as control of the cottony cushion scale, Icerya
purchasi, in California with the predatory coccinellid,
Rodolia cardinalis imported from Australia in 1888.
In some cases, total reduction of a pest to a non-pest
status has resulted; in others, the impact of the beneficial
species becomes the pivot around which a series of other
procedures (integrated pest control) is organized and
implemented.

34. Thank you