Beneficial insect community of Moroccan citrus groves: assessment of their potential to enhance biocontrol services

Moulay Chrif Smaili,Abdelaali Blenzar,Abdelmalek Boutaleb-Joutei

doi:10.1186/s41938-020-00241-0

Abstract

In citrus groves, beneficial insects that reduce abundance of pests are considered a key component of integrated pest management strategies. The aim of this article was to assess the biodiversity of parasitoids and predators in citrus orchards in Moroccoto facilitate future investigations on their potential as biocontrol agents. Data of 105 citrus beneficial insects were gathered and summarized in a data matrix. Variables such nature, target pests, type, establishment, and efficacy were assessed. More than two-thirds of parasitoids and predators species identified in citrus groves of Morocco (105 species) are native (> 70%). Both groups represent only a small fraction of the introduced species. The mostly attack armored scale insects (Diaspididae) and aphids (Aphididae). The ladybeetle Rodolia cardinalis (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is the first beneficial species introduced in 1921 to the Moroccan citrus orchards to control the cottony cushion scale Icerya purchasi (Maskell) (Hemiptera: Monophlebidae). Major introductions of these parasitoids and predators were carried out during the ninetieth to control the main citrus pests whereas they were accidentally introduced. These purposely introduced species are mainly Aphelinidae, Encyrtidae, Eulophidae, Coccinellidae, and Phytoseiidae. Whereas a high proportion of the introduced beneficial insects was established and no species have been reported to be harmful to this date. Considering only the introduced species used in classical biological control context, about 20 and 40% of them are considered as effective or partially effective, respectively.

Highlights

In Morocco, the citrus industry plays a very important socio-economic role in the national economy with an area of about 126,600 ha and a production of about 2.3 million tons (ASPAM 2018)
Nature and type Parasitoids and predators species are fundamental for the implementation of integrated pest management (Bonsignore and Vacante 2012; Van Lenteren et al 2018)
The parasitoids and/or predators identified in citrus counted about 105 species, 76 native species, and 29 introduced species (Tables 1 and 2)

Summary

Introduction

In Morocco, the citrus industry plays a very important socio-economic role in the national economy with an area of about 126,600 ha and a production of about 2.3 million tons (ASPAM 2018). This sector provides an important source of foreign currency per year and generates significant effects in employment through the creation about more than 35 million working days a year in orchards and at the packaging and processing industry and other activities related to citrus industry. New management practices such as good plant protection practices, integrated pest management strategy, classical biological control, conservative biological control, and taken into account the side effects of theses pesticides applied on citrus trees on natural enemies. Almost 250 species of invertebrate biological control agents are used to enhance biological control and pest management worldwide (Van Lenteren et al 2018)

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Conclusion