Seasonal abundance of the fig wax scale insect, Ceroplastes rusci Linneus (Homoptera: Coccidae) and its parasitoids in middle Egypt [electronic resource].

Includes references.

The fig wax scale insect, Ceroplastes rusci (L.), is considered as the most serious scale insect attacking, Psidum guajava L., Ficus carica L., Citrus sinensi,s L.; mandarin, Citrus spp., Mangifera indica L., Vitis venifera L., Malus sylvestris Mill., Aberia caffra, Dalbergia sissoo, Schinus terebinthifolius, Nerium oleander and some ornamental plants. The seasonal abundance and percentage of parasitism of the fig soft scale insect was determined on the leaves of the guava in Beni-Suif Governorate. This work was carried out during May, 200l-April, 2003. The average bi-weekly number of insects/ leaf fluctuated throughout the two seasons of infestation with 2-3 annual peaks of abundance. In the first season 3 peaks occurred in June, October and January; however in the second season 2 peaks were recorded in July and November. The parasitoid speices, Metaphycus helvolus (Compere) 'Mzebratus Mercit, Habrolepis sp., Scutelli,sta cyanea Motsch., Microtyres flavus How. ' Microtyres sp. 'Tetrastichus ceroplastae Girault, Marietta exitiosa Compere and Marietta sp. were found parasitizing C. rusci in Beni-Suif Governorate. Rates of mortality caused by the above-mentioned parasitoids were estimated. Key Words: Ceroplastis ruse, Parasitoids, Population dynamics, Egypt.

Summary in Arabic.

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