The hymenopterous parasites of soft scales on citrus in Israel.

Abstract

Populations of Ceroplastes floridensis Comstock, Ceroplastes rusci (Linnaeus), Saissetia oleae (Bernard), and Coccus hesperidum Linnaeus (Hemiptera: Coecidae), infesting citrus, were regularly sampled in monthly and bimonthly surveys covering the main citrus-growing regions of Israel. Altogether, 23 species of parasitic Hymenoptera were reared from samples of these pests, including 14 species of primary parasites, 6 species of hyperparasites, and 3 species of uncertain status. Trends of parasitation in populations of C. floridensis and C. hesperidum were followed in detail. The distribution, phenology and economic importance of each parasite species are discussed, together with the available biological data. - Only C. hesperidum is kept under satisfactory biological control on citrus in Israel. C. floridensis supports a relatively rich parasite fauna, but is nevertheless a serious pest. S. oleae is attacked by only a few parasite species. C. rusci is an insignificant pest of citrus in Israel.