at a lower level. Mariconi and Zamith (1954), van Dinther
(1960), Guagliumi (1972) and Herting and Simmonds (1975)
recorded several other parasites of B. sophorae known from South
America. These are given in Table 1.


TABLE 1. Distribution of parasites of Brassolis sophorae in South America other
than Guyana.


Parasite
SCELIONIDAE
Telenomus sp.*

EULOPHIDAE
Tetrastichus sp.


CHALCIDIDAE
Brachymeria ovata Say
B. annulata Fabr.*
Spilochalcis morleyi Ashmead*
S. nigrifrons Cameron
TACHINIDAE
Belvosia bicincta R.D.
Heminasipoda sp.
Winthemia erythrina Macq.
W. pinguis Fabr.

Xanthozona melanopyga


Stage attacked Distribution

 Egg Brazil, Surinam,
 Trinidad

 Egg Brazil


Brazil
Brazil, French Guyana
Brazil, Paraguay
Brazil


Larva Brazil
Larva Brazil
Larva Brazil
Larva Argentina, Brazil,
 Bolivia, Peru, Surinam
 Brazil, Surinam


 *Also reported from Guyana

 In order to initiate a program of biological control by introduc-
tion of exotic parasites, exploration in Brazil, French Guyana and
Surinam was planned to obtain stocks of these parasites, evaluate
them and introduce promising species into Guyana. Selected
species are to be bred at the facilities of the Entomology Division
of the Central Agricultural Station, Guyana and released against
B. sophorae. The program proposed two survey trips, one each to
be made in the dry and the wet seasons in order to determine
seasonal activity of parasites.

Surveys for Exotic Parasites
 The first survey trip to Surinam and French Guyana was con-
ducted during the wet season in July-August 1983. In French
Guyana, B. sophorae was not encountered due to seasonal scar-
city, whereas in Surinam, 24 nests containing 3,250 larvae were
obtained at Jenny, Coroni West, Victoria, Jerrykaba and around
Paramaribo. These yielded no parasites. As pupae were not ob-
tained in the field, several lab-formed pupae were placed in
coconut estates. A few of these were attacked by the Sarcophagid,
Blaesexipha (Kellymia) plinthopyga Wied.
 The first survey in Brazil was made during May 8-25, 1984, in
the midst of the wet season. It was restricted to the states of
Sergipe, Pernambuco and Rio Grande do Norte. Activity by
Brassolis in the states of Sergipe and Rio Grande do Norte was not
detected. A few pupae were found at Feira Nova in the state of
Pernambuco and these yielded Spilochalcis sp. nr. erythrina. A


nucleus culture of the Chalcid was taken to Guyana and a
laboratory colony established at the insectaries of Central
Agricultural Station. It was handed over to the local staff for
maintenance and release under the terms of the project.
 The second survey mission to Brazil is planned in November-
December 1984 during the dry season.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
 Recovery surveys in Brazil will be made after adequate
numbers have been released. Attempts are under way to obtain
other known parasites from Brazil. In case parasites from north-
eastern South America fail to establish, explorations should be
extended to other areas, i.e., Bolivia, Paraguay and Peru, which
have not yet been explored for natural enemies. These surveys
may reveal hitherto unknown parasites that may augment the
native parasites in Guyana.










Acknowledgements
 Grateful thanks are due to Drs. Z. Boucek and K.M. Harris, Commonwealth In-
 stitute of Entomology, London, and Dr. B.E. Cooper, Biosystematic Research In-
 stitute, Ottawa, for identifications of parasites. Thanks are also due to Dr. Thomas
 Alexander, Ms. Allis Muller, Landbouwproefstation, Paramaribo, Mons. M.
 Remillet, ORSTOM, Cayenne, Srta. Joanna Ferriera, EMBRAPA, Aracaju, Sra. Jan-
 dira Warumby and Ing. Agr. Luis Gonzazas, IPA, Recife, Dr. E: Bolle-Jones,
 formerly FAO representative to Guyana, and the personnel of Central Agricultural
 Station, Guyana, for assistance. This investigation was funded by FAO under
 TCP/GUY/001/ and TCP/GUY/2303.

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