SCALE INSECTS (HEMIPTERA: COCCOIDEA) AND THEIR PARASITOIDS ON ORNAMENTAL PLANTS IN ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT

Abstract

SCALE INSECTS (HEMIPTERA: COCCOIDEA) AND THEIR PARASITOIDS ON ORNAMENTAL PLANTS IN ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT. This paper discusses the scale insects (Coccoidea) and their parasitoids on ornamental plants in the Alexandria district of Egypt, between 1995 and 1998. Thirty-nine coccoid species belonging to eight families were noted: Asterolecaniidae, Coccidae, Diaspididae, Eriococcidae, Margarodidae, Ortheziidae, Phoenicococcidae and Pseudococcidae. Twelve genera of Hymenoptera belonging to five families were recorded as parasitoids: Aphelinidae (Aphytis, Coccophagus and Encarsia); Encyrtidae (Anagyrus, Arrhenophagus, Gyranusoidea, Habrolepis, Metaphycus and Rhopus); Eulophidae (Aprostocetus); Pteromalidae (Scutellista) and Signiphoridae (Signiphora). Four endoparasitoids were recorded from Egypt for the first time: Arrhenophagus sp. and Gyranusoidea litura Prinsloo (Encyrtidae), Aprostocetus sp. (Eulophidae) and Signiphora fax Girault (Signiphoridae). Key words: urban environment, biological control, host plants.