Steinberg, S.
Podoler, H.
Rosen, D., Dept. of Entomology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Faculty of Agriculture, Rehovot, Israel

For the last 20 years there has been a trend of dynamic change in the relative composition of the parasite complex of the Florida red scale, Chrysomphalus aonidum (L.), in Israel —Aphytis holoxanthus DeBach (an ectoparasite) being gradually replaced by Pteroptrix smithi (Compere) (an endoparasite). Monthly sampling of fruits and leaves in citrus groves located along the coastal plain in Israel indicated that the Florida red scale is effectively controlled by its parasites. The two parasite species coexist in the citrus groves, P. smithi generally being the dominant species. Parasitism by A. holoxanthus is relatively low during autumn and winter, increasing gradually during the spring and reaching a peak between May and August. Parasitism by P. smithi remains relatively high throughout the year. © 1986, Springer Science + Business Media B.V.. All rights reserved.