Sticholotis ruficeps Weise

Sticholotis ruficeps Weise, 1902: 511 .

Sticholotis madagassa Weise, 1909: 124 —synonymized by Escalona & Ślipiński 2010: 310. Sticholotis punctatus Fullaway, 1920: 243 —synonymized by Leeper 1975:47 (misidentification). Mesopilo soufrierensis Duverger, 2001: 96 —synonymized by Escalona & Ślipiński 2010: 310.

This species was originally described from Malaysia. It was collected for the first time in Nouméa during 1966 (Bielawski 1973). It appears to have been an accidental introduction. Since then, it has been recorded from various localities from both the east and west coasts (Escalona & Slipinski 2010). It is a species that has been used as a biocontrol agent against scale and mealybug insects ( Diaspididae, Eriococcidae, Pseudococcidae) in Hawaii, Cook Islands, Florida and India. It is also widely recorded from Japan, China, Micronesia, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Seychelles, La Réunion, Madagascar and Guadeloupe Island.

Material examined. NEW CALEDONIA: Nouméa, IFO, vi.1966 (P. Cochereau rec.) (ONNC); Nouméa, viii.1966 (P. Cochereau rec.) (ONNC); Nouméa, Trianon, xi.1967 (P. Cochereau rec.) (ONNC); Port-Laguerre, iiiv. 1977 (A. Delobel rec.) (ONNC).