Abstract
The whitefly, Aleurocybotus occiduus (Russell) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), invaded western Mexico in 2006, attacking several gramineous crops and weeds in the families Poaceae and Cyperaceae. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of native natural enemies on A. occiduus on sugarcane near Los Mochis during 2006–2011. Peak abundance of A. occiduus occurred during August–September, coinciding with warm temperature and precipitation in the region. A series of native parasitoids and predators effectively regulated A. occiduus since its invasion, gradually decreasing pest abundance from 18.46 nymphs per leaf in 2006 to 0.04 in 2011. Total parasitism varied from 33 to 100% by five parasitoids, including two new species: Encarsia longitarsis Myartseva and Metaphycus cerealis Myartseva & Ruiz. Of all arthropod predators collected, 87% were spiders in the families Araneidae, Licosidae, Oxyopidae, Salticidae, Theridiidae, and Thomisidae. Insect predators were less abundant, including several species of Chrysopidae, Melyridae, Coccinellidae, Anthocoridae, Lygaeidae, Reduviidae, and Mantidae. Both parasitoids and spider predators showed density dependence with A. occiduus. This is a case of fortuitous biological control, because an exotic insect pest was regulated by native natural enemies
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