Abstract
Black scale, Saissetia oleae (Olivier) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) is an important pest of olive trees (Olea europaea L.) that requires the use insecticides for its control. Parasitoids are important regulating agents of this pest, but currently, no information on its complex of natural enemies and their impact on black scale in Brazilian conditions exists. This study focused on identifying parasitoid wasps that were associated with the black scale on olive trees to establish their relative abundance and rate of parasitism. Samplings were maintained in an olive orchard located in Maria da Fe, south of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and infested branches were stored in emergence containers to recover parasitoids. Another group was kept in Flanders batteries to evaluate the rate of parasitism in approximately 100 scales. Sixteen parasitoid species were collected during the sampling period, and the most common species were Coccophagus caridei (Brethes) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), Diversinervus elegans Silvestri (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), and Mesopeltita truncatipennis (Waterston) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), the latter of which was most abundant and frequent. Parasitism ranged from 3 to 31% with peaks in summer and autumn. This level could be considered insufficient to hold the black scale under the economic injury level; however, these parasitoids should be preserved for contributions to population regulation.
Highlights
Black scale, Saissetia oleae (Olivier), is native toSouth Africa and presently found throughout the world (PRINSLOO, 1997; VIGGIANI, 1978)
This scale is considered a major pest in many economic cultures and in olive trees
As a world economic pest, black scale has been the target of numerous biological control programs with
Summary
South Africa and presently found throughout the world (PRINSLOO, 1997; VIGGIANI, 1978). This scale is considered a major pest in many economic cultures and in olive trees. As a world economic pest, black scale has been the target of numerous biological control programs with. Agronomy relatively successful results (DAANE et al, 1991), and parasitoid introduction and release have been the main utilized strategy. In California, classical biological control programs against this pest by introducing natural enemies from different parts of the world, such as South America, dates from the late 19th century (DAANE et al, 1991). The occurrence of black scale in Brazil was reported in Maringá, v. The occurrence of black scale in Brazil was reported in Maringá, v. 37, n. 4, p. 411-416, Oct.-Dec, 2015
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