Spatial and temporal population patterns of Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae and Encyrtidae) caught on yellow sticky traps in citrus

Abstract

AbstractParasitoids of Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) on citrus in South Africa were monitored using two types of yellow sticky trap. One of these traps was highly efficient, being fluorescent with peak reflectance at about 530 nm. Aphytis spp. populations were low before February and high thereafter. Citrus surrounded by natural bush was an isolated reservoir of high host and parasitoid population levels. Aphytis spatial distribution within the orchard was extremely patchy, with over 100-fold differences in population levels over a distance of a few metres. This patchiness mirrored that of its host. This contagious spatial pattern was maintained despite 1000-fold seasonal changes in population levels. These temporal changes were characteristic and general throughout an orchard, and independent of patchiness. Initial Aphytis population levels did not dictate the final population level at the end of the season. Comperiella bifasciata Howard and its hyperparasitoid Marietta javensis (Howard) also showed clear seasonal population trends, but not of the same magnitude as those of Aphytis. There was no statistically significant correlation between the spatial distribution of one parasitoid with that of another, even between C. bifasciata and M. javensis. The patchiness of these two species was not correlated with overall host density. Aphytis and C. bifasciata were partially mutually exclusive. Aphytis was by far the most economically important of the parasitoids. Pest management practices, therefore, should aim at conserving the pool of Aphytis within the orchard as far as practicable.