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Abstract
Amitus hesperidum Silvestri (Hymenoptera: Platygasteridae) was introduced to Trinidad in 2000 in an attempt at classical biological control of the Citrus Blackfly Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). Following quarantine, A. hesperidum were reared in the field in sleeve cages for multiplication and subsequent distribution. Fifty-three sleeve cages were established at six locations in Trinidad, however efforts were concentrated at the Todd's Road Citrus Estate of Caroni (1975) Limited. These sleeves resulted in a yield of 372 insects/sleeve with peak emergence at 56-66 days after the initial release of parasitoids. These results were used to guide the establishment of a further 35 sleeve cages for the production of parasitoids. One hundred participating farmers were trained in the biological control of Citrus Blackfly and provided with batches of 100 parasitoids for release on their farms.