ABSTRACT
Leptopharsa heveae (Hemiptera: Tingidae) is one of the main pests of rubber tree in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Because this is a perennial crop, natural enemies are especially important for maintaining pests below the economic threshold level. The entomopathogenic fungus Sporothrix insectorum has been used to control L. heveae during the rainy season, but its efficiency is low in the drier months. The objective of this study was to find egg parasitoids of L. heveae. Infested leaves were collected in Pindorama, SP, Brazil, and taken to the laboratory, where small sections of leaves containing L. heveae eggs were cut and placed inside plastic bags to hold the ecloded tingid nymphs and the emerged parasitoids. The only parasitoid observed was Erythmelus tingitiphagus (Soares) (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), which parasitized 7% of the L. heveae eggs.
KEY WORDS:
Erythmelus sp.; Mymaridae; biological control; occurrence.