On the scale insects infesting mango trees and their parasitoids at Qaluobia Governorate, Egypt.
Attia A. R., Radwan S. G.
Author Affiliation: Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt.
Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control 23 : 131-135
Abstract : Population dynamics of the soft scale insect, Kilifia acuminata (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Coccidae), as a common insect pest on mango trees at Qaluobyia Governorate, Egypt showed two peaks of abundance and three overlapping generations/year in each of two years of study (2009/10 and 2010/11). The peaks appeared in November (28.56 individuals/leaf) and in April (27.14 individuals/leaf) in the 1st year, opposed to 35.3 and 21.26 individuals/leaf in December and in April, respectively in the 2nd year. Three primary parasitoid species; Metaphycus flavus, Cocophagus bivitatus and Habrolepis diaspidi and two secondary parasitoids; Marietta leopardina and Signiphora sp. were recorded associated with K. acuminate. Highest percentage of parasitism 15.87 and 6.08% on K. acuminata was recorded in May in the two years of study, respectively. Some other parasitoid and predatory species were recorded in low numbers associated with the secondary pests; Pulvinaria psidii, Lindingaspis floridana and Hemiberlisia lataniae found on mango trees at Qaluobyia governorate.