Population fluctuations of the citriculus mealybug, Pseudococcus cryptus Hempel (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), in citrus orchards of Samandağ, Hatay, Turkey

Abstract

Population fluctuations of Pseudococcus cryptus Hempel (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in citrus, role of the parasitoids, within total parasitism and levels of sooty-mold growth due to honeydew secretion of the pest on trees were revealed during the years of 2006–2009 in Samandag district (Hatay). Additionally, populations of main predatory insects followed the prey populations during the growing season. In 2006, P. cryptus density was 3.41 egg clusters/leaf, 91.80 nymph + adult/leaf and the highest overall parasitism rate for was 41.63%. These figures were 2.23, 54.65 and 38.56%, in 2007; 3.33, 53.00 and 39.22%, in 2008; 4.18, 48.05 and 38.89%, in 2009, respectively. According to the samplings done in citrus orchards throughout the 3 years, P. cryptus populations started to rise in April, reaching the highest densities especially in June–July; and its population tended to decline starting from August due to natural enemies. The mean parasitization ratios as the proportion of the total parasitism were 68.15, 69.48, 70.55 and 71.06% for C. purpurea in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively. These figures were 14.58, 13.25, 12.94 and 12.58% for L. abnormis; 8.25, 7.35, 7.85 and 6.25% for A. pseudococci and 9.02, 9.92, 8.66 and 10.11% for P. muscarum. Levels of sooty-mold growth due to honeydew secretion by P. cryptus varied from 3.42/4 to 2.06/4 on citrus trees from 2006 to 2009, respectively.