Rearing techniques for Ageniaspis citricola and Cirrospilus quadristriatus and their host, the citrus leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella, are discussed as related to a classical biological control program. Methods for rearing the three trophic levels (citrus plants, leafminers, and parasitoids) are described in detail. An average of 1,155 adult citrus leafminers were produced in a cage filled with 60-72 young citrus trees. Between April and October 1994, a total of 15,230 A. citricola were produced, with an average of 750 adults per cage. Between late July and October 1994, a total of 1,328 C. quadristriatus were produced, with an average of 144 adults per cage. The two parasitoids were released into leafminer-infested citrus groves throughout Florida in a classical biological control project.
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Smith et al. (1995) studied this question.