Mummified Mealy Bug Product and Method

Abstract

A Biological Control Agent (BCA) system comprising processed parasitized mealybug mummies is disclosed. The processed and modified parasitized mealybug mummies are essentially devoid of their limbs and waxy covering. In the novel BCA system the modified parasitized mealybug mummies are processed in a manner that strips off their waxy covering and detaches their limbs without impacting on their viability as a host for parasitoid pupae. The modified parasitized mealybug mummies of the BCA system are encased in specially adapted packaging for delivering and distributing the modified parasitized mealybug mummies to plants with mealybug infestations. A method of preparing and storing the modified parasitized mealybug mummies as a BCA is also presented.

1 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A biological control composition comprising a mixture of:
 a) a batch of 500 to 1000 parasitized mealybug mummies, wherein said mummies are limbless and devoid of waxy covering, wherein said mummies are parasitized 3rd instar or young female mealybugs, wherein said 500 to 1000 parasitized mealybug mummies contain pupal stage parasitoids, and wherein at least 50% of the parasitoids are female, and   b) fine sawdust.   
     
     
         35 . The composition according to  claim 34 , wherein said parasitized mealybug mummies are storable for up to 28 days. 
     
     
         36 . The composition according to  claim 34 , wherein said parasitized mealybug mummy is derived from a mealybug species selected from the group consisting of  Planococcus citri, Planococcus ficus, Planococcus vovae, Phenacoccus solani, Phenacoccus madeirensis Phenacoccus herreni, Pseudococcus comstocki, Pseudococcus cryptus, Pseudococcus viburni, Pseudococcus longispinus Dysmicoccus brevipes, Maconellicoccus hirsutus  and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         37 . The composition according to  claim 34 , wherein said parasitoid is selected from the group of consisting of endo-parasitic wasps, Encyrtidae family,  Leptomastix algirica, Anagyruspseudococci  and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         38 . The composition according to  claim 34 , wherein said mummies have been dried. 
     
     
         39 . A mummified parasitized mealybug composition according to  claim 34 , produced by steps of:
 a. incubating mealybugs to 3rd instar nymph or young female stage on a factitious plant host;   b. detaching said incubated mealybugs with a high pressure air blower from said plant host;   c. obtaining mealybug 3rd instar nymphs and young females by separating out detached mealybugs according to size;   d. sampling selected mealybug 3rd instar nymphs and young females to estimate population size,   e. immediate exposure of selected mealybugs to adult endoparasitoids to provide parasitized mealybugs;   f. incubating said parasitized mealybugs until said endoparasitoids reach pupal stage and said parasitized mealybugs turn into mummies;   g. rinsing the parasitized mealybugs through a sieving tower with water spray nozzles and separating out large viable mummies from said parasitized mealybugs; and   h. drying selected parasitized mealybug mummies with air flow on screened tray.   
     
     
         40 . A biological control composition comprising a mixture of:
 a) a batch of 500 to 1000 parasitized mealybug mummies, wherein said mummies are limbless and devoid of waxy covering, wherein said mummies are parasitized 3rd instar or young female mealybugs, wherein said 500 to 1000 parasitized mealybug mummies contain pre-pupal stage parasitoids, and wherein at least 50% of the parasitoids are female, and   b) fine sawdust.   
     
     
         41 . The composition according to  claim 40 , wherein said parasitized mealybug mummies are storable for up to 28 days. 
     
     
         42 . The composition according to  claim 40 , wherein said parasitized mealybug mummy is derived from a mealybug species selected from the group consisting of  Planococcus citri, Planococcus ficus, Planococcus vovae, Phenacoccus solani, Phenacoccus madeirensis Phenacoccus herreni, Pseudococcus comstocki, Pseudococcus cryptus, Pseudococcus viburni, Pseudococcus longispinus Dysmicoccus brevipes, Maconellicoccus hirsutus  and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         43 . The composition according to  claim 40 , wherein said parasitoid is selected from the group of consisting of endo-parasitic wasps, Encyrtidae family,  Leptomastix algirica, Anagyruspseudococci  and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         44 . The composition according to  claim 40 , wherein said mummies have been dried. 
     
     
         45 . A mummified parasitized mealybug composition according to  claim 40 , produced by steps of:
 a. incubating mealybugs to 3rd instar nymph or young female stage on a factitious plant host;   b. detaching said incubated mealybugs with a high pressure air blower from said plant host;   c. obtaining mealybug 3rd instar nymphs and young females by separating out detached mealybugs according to size;   d. sampling selected mealybug 3rd instar nymphs and young females to estimate population size,   e. immediate exposure of selected mealybugs to adult endoparasitoids to provide parasitized mealybugs;   f. incubating said parasitized mealybugs until said endoparasitoids reach pre-pupal stage and said parasitized mealybugs turn into mummies;   g. rinsing the parasitized mealybugs through a sieving tower with water spray nozzles and separating out large viable mummies from said parasitized mealybugs; and   h. drying selected parasitized mealybug mummies with air flow on screened tray.