Mass rearing and releases of the effective scale predator Chilocorus nigritus.
Schoeman S.
Author Affiliation: Institute for Tropical & Subtropical Crops, Private Bag X11208, Nelspruit 1200, South Africa.
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Abstract : The coccinellid Chilocorus nigrita is being mass-reared in South Africa to supplement predator numbers in orchards of tropical and subtropical fruits (Citrus, bananas and mangoes) for the biological control of diaspidid scale insects. Aonidiella aurantii is the most important prey, but the predator can also prey on Chrysomphalus aonidum, Cornuaspis beckii [Lepidosaphes beckii], Pseudaulacaspis pentagona and Aulacaspis tubercularis. C. nigrita is prolific in the citrus-producing areas of the Eastern Transvaal Lowveld, but efforts to establish it in the Central Transvaal and Eastern Cape citrus areas were largely unsuccessful.