September 2010. An article was sent to Pestnet about a predaceous butterfly that was said to control mealybugs. The question was: what was it? The article was about the insect in India, but it was also said that it was also found in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Java, Bangladesh and Thailand.

It was said to be Spalgius epius epius, Family Lycaenidae, subfamily Miletinae, the larvae of which are also said to be predaceous. It thrives on colonies of the Papaya mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus in Kerala, India. It is also common in Sri Lanka, usually found in home gardens among the following mealybug populations: Planacoccus citri, Paracoccus marginatus, Pseudococcus citri and Phenacoccus solenopsis.

FAO reminded members that a good risk analysis needs to be done in each importing country. Just because a biocontrol agent is good in one country it does not mean it will be good or without risks in another. The negative impacts should not be underestimated.

https://www.ippc.int/index.php?id=13399&tx_publication_pi1[showUid]=34163