Survey of parasitoid species associated with the brown soft scale insect, coccus hesperidum L (Homoptera: Coccidae) on citrus trees at Lattakia, Syria

Includes references.

A study was carried out to survey parasitoid species associated with the brown soft scale insect, Coccus hesperidum L. (Homoptera: Coccidae) on citrus trees at Lattikia, Syria for the two years 2010 and 2011. Four citrus orchards, at each of the districts; Alrama, Ban Alaras, Hmaimimm and Albassa, and one control were chosen to carry out the study. Citrus leaves and twigs infested with C. hesperidum were sampled and inspected weekly throughout the study period. Recovered parasitoid species complex, rate of parasitism and seasonal abundance of the recovered species were recorded. Seven parasitoid species; 2 aphelinids (Coccophagus Iycirrmia and Coccophagus sp.), 4 encyrtids (Eneyrtus aurantH, Metaphycus sp., M helvoIus and Mieraterys nietneri) and one eulophid (Abrastocetus sp.) were recorded associated with C. hesperidumat all the working sites.

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