Biological control ofAleurocanthus woglumi [Homoptera: Aleyrodidae] in El Salvador

Abstract

The citrus blackfly,Aleurocanthus woglumi Ash., was first observed in El Salvador in 1965. Its dispersal was followed during a three-year period (1969–1972) in which it infested most citrus orchards in the country. Indigenous natural enemies as the predatorsDelphastus sp. andChrysopa sp., and the pathogenic fungusAschersonia aleyrodis Web. are unable to exert any economic control of the pest. The introduction of the parasiteProspaltella opulenta Silvestri from Mexico brought about the successful biological control of the pest. Life table studies carried out before and after introduction of the parasite helped to assess the value ofP. opulenta as an effective natural enemy of the citrus blackfly.