Meyerdirk, D.E., Muniappan, R., Warkentin, R.W., Bamba, J.P., & Reddy, G.V.P. 2004 Biological control of the papaya mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Guam.. Plant Protection Quarterly 19(3): 110-114.
Notes: The papaya mealybug (PM), Paracoccus marginatus, a pest in the Central America and the Caribbean was noted to have established on Guam in April 2002 and was causing serious damage to pawpaws, Plumeria spp., Hibiscus spp. and other plants. The parasitoids Anagyrus loecki, Pseudleptomastix mexicana and Acerophagus papayae totalling 46,200 individuals were introduced from Puerto Rico and field released in Guam from June to October 2002. A reduction of over 99% of papaya mealybug was observed approximately one year after the introduction of these parasitoids. This has reduced risk of introduction of this mealybug to neighbouring islands in the Pacific Region. A biological control system now appears successful and is available for implementation if necessary in other islands in the Pacific region.