Since 1993, The Belize Agricultural Health Authority in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is managing the Regional Laboratory for mass production of the Parasitoide wasp Anagyrus Kamali used to Biologically Control the Pink Hibiscus Mealybug, a pest that attacks hibiscus, ornamentals, vegetables, shrubs and a variety of important fruit crops. On a monthly basis, technicians travel from north to south ensuring that this pest is kept under control.

This Laboratory is operating with funds provided by the International Regional Organization for Health in Agriculture (OIRSA). Mexico , which is an OIRSA member country, recently notified that they detected the mealybug in their country and through OIRSA have requested assistance from Belize . Belize has responded favorably and is supplying the Ministry of Agriculture in Mexico with a total of 40,000 parasitoid wasps on a monthly with effect from April 14 th 2004 . This figure will increase eventually to 100,000 wasps per month. If you need more information on the pink hibiscus mealybug control program, please contact Mr. Hernan Zetina, Project Coordinator at 822-3753.

<<Back to press releases menu