Abstract Background This study was conducted to investigate host stage preference and demographic parameters of the parasitoid species, Leptomastix dactylopii Howard (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), vine mealybug Planococcus ficus (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), an important pest in vineyards many countries. Results The results revealed that L. not able develop on 1st 2nd nymphal instars P. p...