Abstract :The pomegranate whitefly, Siphoninus phillyreae
(Haliday) (Hemiptera : Aleyrodidae) is one of the most
important pests infested pomegranate in Egypt. The aim of this
work was to evaluate the biological control potential of the
parasitoid, Eretmocerus parasiphonini Evans and Abd-Rabou
(Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) against the pomegranate whitefly,
Siphoninus phillyreae (Haliday) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on
pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) by mass rearing and
augmentative releases of this parasitoid during 2011-2014 in
Egypt. This parasitoid species were mass reared and monthly
releases were made in the fields of pomegranate during each of
three consecutive years (2011-2014). About 142578 E.
parasiphonini individuals were released in fields in Assuit,
Daqahylia and Giza governorates in Egypt on pomegranate
which were naturally infested by S. phillyreae. Populations of
the parasitoid and parasitism were much higher in field plots
where releases were made as compared with where no releases
were made. The maximum rate of parasitism reached 48.9, 42.1
and 46.7 % in Assuit, Daqahylia and Giza governorates,
respectively in the field treatment where releases were made,
while parasitism peaked at 2.6, 4.6 and 2.5% in Assuit,
Daqahylia and Giza governorates, respectively where no
releases were made. These observations indicated that E.
parasiphonini is a promising bioagent in controlling S.
phillyreae in Egypt.