Abstract
Population suppression of black scale, Saissetia spp., by natural enemies was measured by monthly sampling of hosts from 4 geographical locations in the citrus-producing areas of Florida from April 1967 through June 1968. Three generations per year occurred in all regions, the 1st (or spring) generation was virtually free from attack by natural enemies and generally increased to injurious densities by late Mayor early June. Scale populations reached a peak in July when 1st and 2nd generations overlapped. Scutellista cyanea Motschulsky was the most important natural enemy attacking black scale and was recovered in 90-100% of the mature female scales in August and September. Occasionally, Coccophagus lycimnia (Walker), Cheiloneurus inimicus Compere, and Gahaniella saissetiae Timberlake parasitized 2nd-stage nymphs and non-egg-producing females, mainly 2nd-generation scale. Also, 2 entomogenous fungi, Myiophagus sp. and Entomophthora sp., periodically infected all stages of black scale. This represents the 1st report of Myiophagus sp. from unarmored scale in Florida.
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