Suitability of five species of Aphidiidae (hymenoptera) for the biological control of the banana aphidPentalonia nigronervosacoq. (Homoptera, Aphididae) in the south pacific

Five aphid parasitoids were tested for their suitability as biocontrol agents of the banana aphid Pentalonia nigronervosa Coq.: Lysiphlebus testaceipes, Lysiphlebus fabarum, Trioxys angelicae, Aphidius colemani and Ephedrus plagiator. L. testaceipes and A. colemani were successfully mass‐reared on P. nigronervosa for five generations in the laboratory. Both species showed no obvious preferences for certain host instars or morphs (apteriform or alatiform larvae). Their capability to alternate between P. nigronervosa and Aphis fabae did not diminish within five generations. It is concluded that both species could have the potentials of suitable biological control agents against P. nigronervosa. Screening of two other parasitoids (E. plagiator and L. fabarum) is promising.