Predators, Parasitoids and Hyperparasitoids Associated With the Cotton Mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley) Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) Infesting Different Host Plants at Giza Region.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Plant Protection Research Institute, ARC, Dokki, Giza, Egypt

2 Biological Control Lab., Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt

Abstract

Predators, parasitoids and hyperparasitoids associated with nymphal and adult stages of the cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus  solenopsis infesting  five ornamental host plants and six weeds were surveyed at Giza region, Egypt in 2015. Such study was not previously handled in Egypt. The survey revealed the presence of six predaceous species, two endoparasitoids and four hyperparasitoids. Most of the predators were recorded on the two host plants Lantana camara and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. However, no predators were surveyed on the two infested host plants Corchorus olitorius and Amaranthus ascendens. Among the predators; the two species Hyperaspis vinciguerrae and Scymus syriacus were the most abundant. Two endoparasitoids; Acerophagus gutierreziae and Chartocerus dactylopii were served. The parasitoid, A. gutierreziae developed solitarily on the nymphs of its host and gregariously (2-5 individuals) on its adult stage; probably due to the host size while, C. dactylopii developed solitarily inside nymphs of its host.

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