Evaluation of phytoseiid predators for control of western flower thrips on greenhouse cucumber

Ten predatory mite species, all phytoseiids, were evaluated for control of western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), on greenhouse cucumber. This study was done to further improve biological control of thrips on this crop. Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) is at present used for biological control of thrips in greenhouses. Compared to this species, Typhlodromalus limonicus (Garman & McGregor), Typhlodromips swirskii (Athias-Henriot) and Euseius ovalis (Evans) reached much higher population levels resulting in a significantly better control of thrips. T. limonicus was clearly the best predator of WFT. Also Euseius scutalis (Athias-Henriot) increased to higher populations levels than N. cucumeris, but without controlling the thrips, probably because of an unequal distribution of this predator on the plant. Iphiseius degenerans (Berlese), Neoseiulus barkeri (Hughes), Euseius finlandicus (Oudemans) and Typhlodromus pyri (Scheuten) did not establish better than N. cucumeris. A non-diapausing exotic strain of N. cucumeris did not differ from the North European strain. The best performers in this study were all of sub-tropical origin. T. limonicus, T. swirskii and E. ovalis have good potentials for controlling not only thrips but also whiteflies. Factors affecting the efficacy of phytoseiids on greenhouse cucumbers are discussed.     

Comparative life-history traits of three phytoseiid mites associated with Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) colonies in clementine orchards in eastern Spain: implications for biological control

The management of Tetranychus urticae, a key pest of clementine trees, is mainly based on the use of acaricides. However, more environmentally safe measures, such as biological control, are being encouraged. Life-history traits of the three most abundant phytoseiid mites associated with T. urticae on this crop (Euseius stipulatus, Phytoseiulus persimilis and Neoseiulus californicus) were studied. The experiments were performed under laboratory conditions (25°C, 80 ± 5% RH and 16:8 h (L:D)) on clementine leaves and T. urticae as prey. Euseius stipulatus could not complete its life cycle, whereas P. persimilis and N. californicus completed it satisfactorily. The estimated intrinsic rate of increase (r _m) was significantly higher for P. persimilis (0.344 day⁻¹) than for N. californicus (0.244 day⁻¹) and both were higher than the r _m value of T. urticae on clementine leaves. Implications of these results for the biological control of T. urticae in this crop are discussed.     

Effect of some food sources associated with cassava in Africa on the development, fecundity and longevity of Euseius fustis (Pritchard and Baker) (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Various foods associated with cassava were tested for their effect on the development, fecundity and longevity of Euseius fustis, the most common phytoseiid species found on cassava in Africa. Euseius fustis developed successfully to adulthood on the spider mite prey species Mononychellus tanajoa (Bondar) and Oligonychus gossypii (Zacher) and on pollen from maize, castor bean and cassava. Euseius fustis also completed development on water-diluted phloem exudate from cassava, diluted honeydew from the cassava mealybug and on various pollen and prey combinations. When reared on Tetranychus urticae Koch prey or free water only, E. fustis did not develop past the deutonymphal stage. All larvae held on clean leaf discs on water-soaked cotton died without moulting, suggesting that E. fustis must feed in order to moult to the nymphal stages. Diets of maize plus castor bean pollen and maize pollen plus M. tanajoa resulted in the highest rate of development, the highest fecundity and the greatest longevity. Castor bean pollen alone and maize pollen alone produced a higher fecundity and greater longevity than M. tanajoa tested alone. A colony of E. fustis reared continuously for seven generations on castor bean pollen produced nine times more adult females than a colony of E. fustis reared continuously on M. tanajoa. No negative effects on the development and fecundity of E. fustis were observed after seven generations were reared on pollen.     

Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) within citrus orchards in Florida: species distribution,relative and seasonal abundance within trees,associated vines and ground cover plants

Seven citrus orchards on reduced- to no-pesticide spray programs were sampled for predacious mites in the family Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) in central and south central Florida. Inner and outer canopy leaves, open flowers, fruit, twigs, and trunk scrapings were sampled monthly between September 1994 and January 1996. Vines and ground cover plants were sampled monthly between September 1994 and January 1996 in five of these orchards. The two remaining orchards were on full herbicide programs and ground cover plants were absent. Thirty-three species of phytoseiid mites were identified from 35,405 specimens collected within citrus tree canopies within the seven citrus orchards, and 8,779 specimens from vines and ground cover plants within five of the seven orchards. The six most abundant phytoseiid species found within citrus tree canopies were: Euseius mesembrinus (Dean) (20,948), Typhlodromalus peregrinus (Muma) (8,628), Iphiseiodes quadripilis (Banks) (2,632), Typhlodromips dentilis (De Leon) (592), Typhlodromina subtropica Muma and Denmark (519), and Galendromus helveolus (Chant) (315). The six most abundant species found on vines or ground cover plants were: T. peregrinus (6,608), E. mesembrinus (788), T. dentilis (451), I. quadripilis (203), T. subtropica (90), and Proprioseiopsis asetus (Chant) (48). The remaining phytoseiids included: Amblyseius aerialis (Muma), A. herbicolus (Chant), A. largoensis (Chant), A. multidentatus (Chant), A. sp. near multidentatus, A. obtusus (Koch), Chelaseius vicinus (Muma), Euseius hibisci Chant, Galendromus gratus (Chant), Metaseiulus mcgregori (Chant), Neoseiulus mumai (Denmark), N. vagus (Denmark), Phytoscutus sexpilis (Muma), Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks), Proprioseiopsis detritus (Muma), P. dorsatus (Muma), P. macrosetae (Banks), P. rotundus (Muma), P. solens (De Leon), Typhlodromips deleoni (Muma), T. dillus (De Leon), T. dimidiatus (De Leon), T. mastus Denmark and Muma, T. simplicissimus (De Leon), and T. sp. near tunus, and Typhlodromus transvaalensis (Nesbitt). Eighty-two ground cover plants or vines were sampled within the five orchards and one or more phytoseiids were collected from 71 of these plants. Five ground cover plants with the highest numbers of phytoseiids included: Bidens alba (L.) DC (1,420 mites within 13 species), Solanum americanum L. (1,355 mites within 8 species), Amaranthus spinosus L. (1,137 mites within 11 species), Gnaphalium pensylvanicum Willd. (844 mites within 8 species) and Richardia brasiliensis (Meg.) Gomez (354 mites within 8 species).     

Prey stage preference and functional response of Euseius hibisci to Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Phytoseiidae, Tetranychidae)

The aims of this study were: (a) determine the prey stage preference of female Euseius hibisci (Chant) (Phytoseiidae) at constant densities of different stages of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Tetranychidae), (b) assess the functional response of the predator females to the varying densities of eggs, larvae, or protonymphs of T. urticae, and (c) estimate the functional response of E. hibisci when pollen of Ligustrum ovalifolium was present as well. We conducted experiments on excised pieces of strawberry leaf arenas (Fragaria ananassa) under laboratory conditions of 25 ± 2 °C, 60 ± 5% RH and 12 h photophase. Our results indicated that the predator consumed significantly more prey eggs than other prey stages. Consumption of prey deutonymphs and adults was so low that they were excluded from the non-choice functional response experiments. The functional response on all food items was of type II. The two parameters of the functional response were estimated for each prey type by means of the adjusted non-linear regression model. The highest estimated value a (instantaneous rate of discovery) and the lowest value of T_h (handling time, including digestion) were found for the predator feeding on prey eggs, and a was lowest and T_h highest when fed protonymphs. Using the jack-knife method, the values for the functional response parameters were estimated. The values of a and T_h produced by the model were similar among all prey types except for the eggs, which were different. Using pollen simultaneously with prey larvae decreased the consumption of the latter over the full range of prey densities The suitability of this predator for biological control of T. urticae on strawberry is discussed.     

Prey selectivity inEuseius tularensis [Acari: Phytoseiidae]

Differences in responsiveness to potential prey and pollen were tested in the facultative predator,Euseius tularensis Congdon. Following isolation without food for 16 h, adult female mites were observed with one of the following potential foods: pollen ofMalephora crocea (Jacquin) Schwantes,Scirtothrips citri (Moulton) 2nd instar larvae,Tetranychus pacificus McGregor nymphs and ♂,Panonychus citri (McGregor) nymphs and ♂,E. hibisci (Chant) larvae, andE. tularensis larvae. Responses were compared using the proportion of encounters that resulted in consumption. This proportion was highest when pollen was encountered, followed byS. citri andT. pacificus. Consumption was much lower in response toP. citri and congeneric larvae. WhenS. citri larvae were encountered a 2nd time, 1 to 2 h after the initial capture and consumption, responsiveness increased to a level equal to the response observed with pollen. These results suggest thatE. tularensis is a more effective biological control agent of citrus thrips (S. citri) than of citrus red mite (P. citri).     

Attraction of female Chiracanthium mildei(Araneae: Clubionidae) to olfactory cues from maleMediterranean fruit flies Ceratitis capitata(Diptera: Tephritidae)

Chiracanthium mildei, a common sac spider (Clubionidae) in Israel, is an important predator of pest insects in citrus and apple orchards. Field observations indicate that the females of this hunting spider are attracted to traps containing the parapheromone trimedlure and males of the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata),which were caught in these traps. Laboratory testsshow that C. mildei females are attractedto olfactory cues from male C. capitata, but notto trimedlure. This suggests that C. mildeimay be an important nocturnal predator of C.capitata.     

Studies of the predatory miteAmblyseius victoriensis (Acarina: Phytoseiidae) in citrus orchards in south-east Queensland: control ofTegolophus australis andPhyllocoptruta oleivora (Acarina: Eriophyidae), effect of pesticides,alternative host plants and augmentative release

Seasonal history studies and a pesticide disruption trial showed that the Australian phytoseiidAmblyseius victoriensis (Womersley) was a very effective predator of the native eriophyidTegolophus australis Keifer, in commercial citrus orchards at Gayndah and Mundubbera, Queensland, from 1984 to 1990.Amblyseius victoriensis numbers rose from 10–20 per 100 leaves in spring to 100 or more per 100 leaves in mid summer, keeping the percentage ofT. australis-infested, fruit well below an economic threshold of 10%.However, in the same orchards,A. victoriensis only controlled the cosmopolitan eriophyidPhyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashmead), when less than 5% of the fruit was infested with the pest and predator numbers exceeded 40 per 100 leaves.Aspects of orchard management influencing populations ofA. victoriensis, were evaluated. The pesticides benomyl, dicofol, mancozeb, methidathion, and mezineb reduced populations by 100%, methomyl by 89%, chlorpyrifos by 80%, fenbutatin oxide by 42.5% and endosulfan by 27.5%. Iprodione and hydrated lime caused a 17% reduction, but copper oxychloride and narrow-range oil had little effect. Encouragement of alternative host plants in the orchard increased populations ofA. victoriensis. Where Rhodes grass.Chloris gayana Kunth, was allowed to flower in the inter-rows, its windblown pollen served as a supplementary food source. Windbreak rows ofEucalyptus torelliana F. Muell. acted as reservoirs ofA. victoriensis for nearby blocks of citrus. Augmentative release was effective for re-establishingA. victoriensis where it was absent following pesticide suppression.     

Biological control of thrips and whiteflies by a shared predator: Two pests are better than one

We studied the capacity of one species of predator to control two major pests of greenhouse crops, Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande)) and the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood)). In such a one-predator–two-prey system, indirect interactions can occur between the two pest species, such as apparent competition and apparent mutualism. Whereas apparent competition is desired because it brings pest levels down, apparent mutualism is not, because it does the opposite. Because apparent competition and apparent mutualism occurs at different time scales, it is important to investigate the effects of a shared natural enemy on biological control on a time scale relevant for crop growth. We evaluated the control efficacy of the predatory mites Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) and Euseius ovalis (Evans) in cucumber crops in greenhouse compartments with only thrips, only whiteflies or both herbivorous insects together. Each of the two predators controlled thrips, but A. swirskii reduced thrips densities the most. There was no effect of the presence of whiteflies on thrips densities. Whitefly control by each of the two predators in absence of thrips was not sufficient, yet better with E. ovalis. However, whitefly densities in presence of thrips were reduced dramatically, especially by A. swirskii. The densities of predators were up to 15 times higher in presence of both pests than in the single-pest treatments. Laboratory experiments with A. swirskii suggest that this is due to a higher juvenile survival and developmental rate on a mixed diet. Hence, better control may be achieved not only because of apparent competition, but also through a positive effect of mixed diets on predator population growth. This latter phenomenon deserves more attention in experimental and theoretical work on biological control and apparent competition.     

Effects of predator-mediated apparent competition on the population dynamics of Tetranychus urticae on apples

The two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, is an important herbivore pest of apple trees in Northwest China. This spider mite and another less damaging spider mite, Eotetranychus pruni Oudemans, are attacked by a common and often effective phytoseiid predator, Euseius finlandicus (Oudemans). Functional relationships were studied in the field to evaluate the impact of E. pruni and E. finlandicus on T. urticae. The results from this study showed that the predator-mediated apparent competition strongly affected the population dynamics of T. urticae. The addition of the apparent competitor E. pruni alone had little impact on T. urticae densities. Although the release of the predator E. finlandicus alone could result in reduction in T. urticae densities, the greatest reduction in T. urticae densities occurred in plots where both the predator E. finlandicus and apparent competitor E. pruni were released. In apple orchards, the early introduction of both the apparent competitor E. pruni and predator E. finlandicus would evidently increase the population size of the predator E. finlandicus and consequently significantly enhance the control of T. urticae populations. It is concluded from the study that the predator and apparent competitor release might be an appropriate control for the target species.     

Increases in densities of the citrus red mite,Panonychus citri [Acarina: Tetranychidae], in association with the Argentine ant,Iridomyrmex humilis [Hymenoptera: Formicidae], in southern California citrus

We monitored the activities of the Argentine ant,Iridomyrmex humilis (Mayr), in 3 citrus orchards during 1984 and 1985. We also monitored densities of citrus red mite,Panonychus citri (McGregor), the adult spider mite destroyer,Stethorus picipes Casey [Col.: Coccinellidae], and the predatory mite,Euseius tularensis Congdon [Acarina: Phytoseiidae] during the same period in ant-present and ant-free plots in each orchard. I. humilis was excluded for at least 9 months from trees pruned 60 cm from the ground following a basal application of 1 or 2 % chlorpyrifos 4 EC. Autumn densities ofP. citri in these ant-free plots were significantly lower than those in the plots infested withI. Humilis. S. picipes appeared to be the most important predator, maintaining lowP. citri densities on citrus in southern California in the absence ofI. humilis activity.S. picipes densities increased numerically in response to the early spring and late autumn increases in the density ofP. citri populations. However, in the presence ofI. humilis activity, effective predation was apparently inhibited. Densities ofE. tularensis were unaffected by the presence ofI. humilis, nor didE. tularensis respond to spring or autumn increases in the density ofP. citri populations in any of the orchards.      

Influence of selected fruit tree pollen on life history of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Euseius stipulatus</Emphasis> (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Euseius stipulatus (Athias-Henriot) is a predatory mite widespread in the Mediterranean region considered to be important for the biological control of spider mites in citrus orchards. Development, survival and reproduction of this phytoseiid mite feeding on seven commercially obtained pollen were studied under constant laboratory conditions (20 ± 1°C, RH 65 ± 5%, photoperiod 16L: 8D h). Mites were kept individually at rearing units with ample quantity of almond (Prunus amygdalus Batch), apple (Malus domestica Borkh), apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.), cherry (Prunus avium L.), pear (Pyrus communis L.), plum (Prunus domestica L.) and walnut (Juglans regia L.) pollen as food source. Developmental time from egg to adult varied between the several pollen tested from 8.38 ± 0.08 to 9.58 ± 0.11 days for females and from 8.23 ± 0.12 and 9.07 ± 0.12 days for males. Female longevity varied from 11.53 ± 1.22 to 51.38 ± 2.45 days, while fecundity ranged from 22.84 ± 2.30 to 43.61 ± 3.78 eggs/female. The predator was unable to reproduce when feeding on walnut pollen. Data were submitted to life table analysis and values of the intrinsic rate of increase were derived, ranging from 0.079 to 0.146 (day⁻¹). The cumulative Weibull function that was used to describe the age specific survival of females produced excellent fits to the survival data. Results show that almond, plum, cherry and apricot pollen possess higher nutritional value for E. stipulatus than pear and apple pollen and thus may contribute in sustaining and increasing the predator population in field conditions. Walnut pollen can be utilized by the predator only to survive during short periods of time when principal or alternative food sources are scarce.     

Seasonal and Scale Size Relationships between Citricola Scale (Homoptera: Coccidae) and Its Parasitoid Complex (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) on San Joaquin Valley Citrus

The phenology of citricola scale, Coccus pseudomagnoliarum (Kuwana), and its associated parasitoid complex were studied on citrus in the San Joaquin Valley of central California over the period April 1995–March 1997. A total of 10,237 parasitoid specimens of 10 species were collected. Two of these species, Marietta mexicana (Howard) and Encyrtus lecaniorum (Mayr), each recovered from individually isolated scales, represent new parasitoid records for citricola scale. A third species, Encarsia citrinus citrinus (Craw), may represent a new parasitoid record, but this requires further confirmation because a single (male) specimen was recovered from individually isolated scales. The three most dominant parasitoid species, Coccophagus lycimnia (Walker), Metaphycus helvolus (Compere), and Metaphycus luteolus (Timberlake), accounted for the majority (>97%) of the specimens recovered. In contrast to the situation on citrus in southern California, where citricola scale is under effective biological control and is very rarely seen, citricola scale on citrus in the San Joaquin Valley is reemerging as a major pest, especially in groves employing integrated pest management with minimal use of broad-spectrum insecticides. Possible reasons uncovered in this study for the lack of effective biological control of citricola scale in the San Joaquin Valley include: (i) reduced presence of Metaphycus spp. because of hyperparasitism by the heteronomous hyperparasitoid C. lycimnia; (ii) absence of alternate hosts for those species of Metaphycus present; and (iii) absence of hosts of suitable size for Metaphycus at critical times of the year. Recommendations for improving the level of biological control in the San Joaquin Valley are discussed.     

Phytoseiid predators suppress populations of Bemisia tabaci on cucumber plants with alternative food

Phytoseiids are known to attack whiteflies, but it is an open question whether they can be used for biological control of these pest insects. Preselection experiments in the laboratory showed that two out of five phytoseiid species tested, Euseius scutalis and Typhlodromips swirskii, stood out in terms of their ability to develop and reproduce on a diet of Bemisia tabaci immatures. In this paper, we show that both predators are able to suppress whitefly populations on isolated cucumber plants in a greenhouse. Predatory mites were released 2 weeks in advance of the release of B. tabaci. To enable their survival and promote their population growth, they were provided weekly with alternative food, that is, Typha sp. pollen. A few weeks after whitefly introduction, the numbers of adult whiteflies on plants with predators were consistently lower than on plants without predators, where B. tabaci populations grew exponentially. After 9 weeks, this amounted to a 16- to 21-fold difference in adult whitefly population size. This shows that the two phytoseiid species are promising biocontrol agents of B. tabaci on greenhouse cucumber. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Pearl bodies of Cayratia japonica (Thunb.) Gagnep. (Vitaceae) as alternative food for a predatory mite Euseius sojaensis (Ehara) (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

On the young leaves, shoots, and buds of Cayratia japonica (Thunb.) Gagnep. (Vitaceae), we observed nutritious bodies called pearl bodies and hypothesized that they are utilized by generalist predators as alternative foods. Some ambulate organisms consume pearl bodies in the wild and the predatory mite Euseius sojaensis (Ehara) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) was considered as a primary candidate. Pearl bodies promoted E. sojaensis settlement on C. japonica leaves and E. sojaensis could prey on the phytophagous mite Tetranychus kanzawai Kishida (Acari: Tetranychidae) when the predators settle on a leaf before the prey. In addition, the presence of pearl bodies did not reduce predation of E. sojaensis on T. kanzawai. This was seemingly because food quality of T. kanzawai was higher than pearl bodies. These results implied that pearl bodies on C. japonica leaves are utilized by E. sojaensis as alternative foods.     

Isolation and characterization of an Isaria fumosorosea isolate infecting the Asian citrus psyllid in Florida

A fungal pathogen that killed adult Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Asian citrus psyllid) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) in Florida citrus groves during the fall of 2005 was identified and characterized. Investigation of this pathogen is important because D. citri vectors citrus greening disease (Huanglongbing), which was reported in Florida in 2005. The morphological and genetic data generated herein support identification of the fungus as Isaria fumosorosea Wize (Ifr) (=Paecilomyces fumosoroseus) (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) from the Asian citrus psyllid (Ifr AsCP). Koch’s postulates were fulfilled after the fungus was isolated in vitro and transmitted to healthy psyllids, which then exhibited a diseased-phenotype similar to that observed in the field. Both in vitro growth characteristics and two Ifr AsCP-specific molecular markers discriminated the psyllid pathogen from another local Ifr isolate, Ifr 97 Apopka. These molecular markers will be useful to track the dynamics of this disease in D. citri populations. The potential for utilizing Ifr to complement existing psyllid pest management strategies is discussed.     

Stability in the host-parasitoid relationship of Dialeurodes citri and Encarsia lahorensis in the citrus orchard

The citrus whitefly, Dialeurodes citri (Ashmead), a citrus pest, has been prevalent in Israel since 1975. The parasitic wasp Encarsia lahorensis (Howard) has been successfully used for its biological control since 1980 and thehost-parasitoid system is stable. This studyuses field data from four and a half years inorder to examine whether heterogeneity ofparasitism and risk aggregation can explain thestability. After establishing that theprobability of parasitism is not constant overpatches, we examined the question of parasitoidaggregation, dependent or independent of thehost, at different patch levels. At the treelevel we found an inverse relationship betweenthe proportion of parasitism and host density.At the leaf level, taking the tree effect intoconsideration, the host density dependence wasweak and non-significant. At the leaf level, acombined examination of both types ofheterogeneity in parasite distribution – hostdensity dependent heterogeneity (direct orindirect) and host density independentheterogeneity, was performed using the (CV)² > 1 criterion. The mean (CV)² value over different sampling dateswas greater than one. Host density independentheterogeneity had the greater contribution tostability. The (CV)² findings atleaf level in the plot, combining leaf and treeeffects, represent both aggregation at the treelevel (inverse density dependence) andaggregation at the leaf level (host densityindependence). The heterogeneity findings forparasitoid distribution, together with thestability, which was directly observed, supportour hypothesis that aggregation of risk is animportant mechanism in the stabilisinginteraction between the citrus whitefly and itsspecific parasitoid, E. lahorensis.     

The broad mite,Polyphagotarsonemus latus,as a potential prey for phytoseiid mites in California

In laboratory studies, individuals ofEuseius stipulatus Athias-Henriot,Typhlodromus rickeri Chant,T. porresi McMurtry andT. annectens DeLeon offered broad mite,Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks), as prey had developmental and ovipositional rates comparable to those offered a known favorable food (tetranychid mites or pollen).Euseius hibisci (Chant) had a longer developmental period and a markedly lower oviposition rate onP. latus than on the control food. Immature survival and ovipositional rates ofEuseius concordis Chant,Typhlodromus occidentalis Nesbitt,Amblyseius limonicus Garman and McGregor andIphiseius degenerans (Berlese) were very low onP. latus compared to control foods.     

Survey of brown soft scale Coccus hesperidum L. parasitoids in southern California citrus

The parasitoid complex of brown soft scale, Coccus hesperidum L., a multivoltine soft scale, was determined in southern California citrus over the period February 2004–March 2006. The survey was conducted by placing brown soft scale-infested yucca leaves in the canopy of citrus trees and subsequently rearing individually isolated parasitized scales in the laboratory. A total of 14 species parasitized brown soft scale in the field, the most abundant ones belonging to the genus Metaphycus Mercet (75%). The most abundant parasitoid species was Metaphycus angustifrons Compere (38% parasitism), and this is a new record of establishment for this species in California. Coccophagus species accounted for only 11% parasitism. There were important spatio-temporal differences across the parasitoid complex survey locations. We also found that the five most abundant encyrtid parasitoid species showed preferences for scales of different sizes. Our results have implications for biological control of citricola scale, Coccus pseudomagnoliarum (Kuwana), an important pest of citrus in the San Joaquin Valley of central California. Notably, this species is nearly absent in southern California. Brown soft scale is considered to be an alternate host for parasitoids of citricola scale, a univoltine soft scale, at times when the latter species is unavailable for parasitism.     

Overwintering sites and winter mortality of Euseius finlandicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in a peach orchard in northern Greece

In peach orchards of northern Greece Euseius finlandicus Oudemans overwinters in various sites on the trees, usually in groups of 5–15 females. Overwintering females were mostly found in bark crevices near the hibernation cocoons of the peach moth Adoxophyes orana (Fischer von Rosslerstamm), and also in small crevices of the bark and in pedicels left after fruit harvesting. Empty scales of dead diaspidids and dead coccids, cocoons of lacewings and mummies of parasitized aphids sporadically found on trees, were less common overwintering sites for females of the mite. In two successive years, mortality of overwintering females was very low, approximately 4 and 4.5% which could be due to the mild climate of northern Greece and the high cold tolerance of the mite. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.