Abstract
The citrus leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), was discovered in Louisiana in May 1994. A classical biological control program was initiated against the citrus leafminer in Louisiana during January 1995. The parasitic wasp, Ageniaspis citricola Logviniskaya, was obtained from the University of Florida, and was reared at the LSU Agricultural Center, Citrus Research Station in Plaquemines Parish, La. This parasitoid was released there and at three other locations in the parish during June and July 1995. Mean parasitism by A. citricola at survey sites peaked at 37%, 37% and 56% in 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively. Ageniaspis citricola appeared to have established but disappeared in 2000, apparently due to the severe drought of 1999 and 2000. Several hundred A. citricola pupae were collected in Gainesville, Fla. on 8 July 2002. A total of 130 A. citricola adult wasps were released at the Citrus Research Station on infested Citrus unshi Marcovitch 'Satsuma" Mandarin orange trees from 12-15 July 2002. The first A. citricola was recovered on 8 August. Mean parasitism by A. citricola peaked at 51% on 18 September 2002.
