Hypogeococcus pungens

The most likely option for the control of field infestations of the pest is the use of biological control agents. Several parasitoids and predators have been identified as potential biological control agents of H. pungens (e.g. the cecidomyiid Kalodiplosis floridana, McFadyen, 1979, Zimmermann and PŽrez Sandi Cuen, 2010). Studies are being carried out in Puerto Rico to test the effectiveness of two parasitoids, the encyrtid Leptomastidea nr. antillicola and the cecidomyiid Diadiplosis coccidivora, to determine whether they should be considered for mass rearing and release efforts (CPHST Biological Control Unit, 2010). It is possible that specialized natural enemies of congeneric species in Mexico may prove to be suitable biological control agents if H. pungens were to invade Mexico.