Parasitoids of Scale Insects and Aphids on Citrus in the Cerrados Region of Brazil (Hymenoptera : Chalcidoidea)

Abstract

Six species of scale insects and three species of aphids as well as their parasitoids were recorded from citrus orchards in Brasilia D.F. in the Cerrados region in January-February 1982. The parasitoids recorded from scale insects are as follows : Five species from Chrysomphalus fucus, one species from Lepidosaphes beckii, four species from Pinnaspis aspidistrae, and one species from Coccus viridis. Effective control of Ch. ficus can not be achieved by any parasitoids found in the Cerrados area. It is suggested that Aphytis holoxanthus be introduced into citrus orchards in the Cerrados area from areas in Brazil where the parasitoid has been established after importation in 1962. Since effective parasitoids of C. viridis have not been found, effort should be directed toward discovery of a beneficial species in Brazil, which is presumably the source country of the pest. No parasitoids of Toxoptera citricidus were found in the Cerrados area. It is suggested that the parasitoid, Lysiphlebia japanica be introduced into Brazil from Japan, where the parasitoid has been reported as the most effective natural enemy of the aphid.