The Hymenopterous Parasites of Citrus Armored Scales in Israel (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea)1

Abstract

In an extensive survey covering the main citrus-growing regions of Israel, 17 forms of chalcidoid parasites were obtained. Fifteen of these were primary parasites, including 11 forms of Aphytis . Hyperparasites were very rare and insignificant. Special attention was given to parasitism trends in California red scale, Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell), populations. Natural control of this pest has greatly improved in recent years, owing mainly to the establishment of Aphytis coheni DeBach. The Florida red scale, Chrysomphalus aonidum (L.), has been successfully controlled by the introduced A. holoxanthus DeBach. The purple scale, Lepidosaphes beckii (Newman), is efficiently controlled by Aphytis lepidosaphes Compere. The chaff scale, Parlatoria pergandii Comstock, and the tropical gray chaff scale, P. cinerea Hadden, both are attacked mainly by Aphytis hispanicus (Mercet) and Prospaltella inquirenda Silvestri.