A Biological Check Method for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Entomophagous Insects1

Factors affecting the biological control of California red scale Aonidiella aurantii (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) by Aphytis (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) in eastern Spain citrus: host size, ant activity, and adult parasitoid food sources

“…One of the most representative examples is the interference of the Argentine ant with the activity of the natural enemies of CRS. Although CRS does not produce any type of honeydew, the activity of the Argentine ant when it tends co-occurring honeydew producers induces higher scale populations (DeBach, 1951;. As in other citrus producing areas, CRS is the main citrus pest in Mediterranean basin (Franco et al, 2006).…”

“…In agro-ecosystems it has long been known that ants are associated with the disruption of biological control of arthropod pest species (DeBach, 1951;. The most frequently documented situation involves the mutualism between ants and honeydew producing hemiptera.…”

“…Nevertheless, A. aurantii does not produce any type of honeydew and consequently is not tended by ants. However, it has been found that ant activity may slightly (Murdoch et al, 1995) or considerably (DeBach, 1951;Steyn, 1954; stimulate California red scale populations. It is assumed that ants disrupt or kill the California red scale parasitoids as an indirect consequence of ant-attendance to a coincident honeydew producer DeBach, 1951;.…”

“…However, it has been found that ant activity may slightly (Murdoch et al, 1995) or considerably (DeBach, 1951;Steyn, 1954; stimulate California red scale populations. It is assumed that ants disrupt or kill the California red scale parasitoids as an indirect consequence of ant-attendance to a coincident honeydew producer DeBach, 1951;. The main ant species implicated with the disruption of the biological control of the California red scale is the argentine ant Linepithema humile (Mayr) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) (DeBach, 1951;Murdoch et al, 1995;Martinez-Ferrer et al, 2003).…”

“…It is assumed that ants disrupt or kill the California red scale parasitoids as an indirect consequence of ant-attendance to a coincident honeydew producer DeBach, 1951;. The main ant species implicated with the disruption of the biological control of the California red scale is the argentine ant Linepithema humile (Mayr) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) (DeBach, 1951;Murdoch et al, 1995;Martinez-Ferrer et al, 2003). It is a highly invasive species that has spread in all ecosystems with Mediterranean climate causing serious problems in agriculture and natural ecosystems Carpintero et al, 2005).…”