Co-Authors:
Blumberg, D., Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel
Abstract:
Encapsulation of eggs of the encyrtid parasite Metaphycus swirskii Annecke & Mynhardt (=M. aff. stanleyi Compere) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in the Mediterranean black scale Saissetia oleae (Olivier), was more frequent in the rubber stage of the host than in the young female. Encapsulation frequency in young females did not differ at 24° or at 28°, but increased considerably at 32°. In the rubber stage of S. oleae, the % scales wherein encapsulation completely prevented parasite development increased from 20.5 at 24° to 96.7 at 32°. Intentionally weakened Coccus hesperidum L., as opposed to healthy hosts, allowed the development of M. swirskii due to a reduction in the host's encapsulation capacity and, as a result, the mass rearing of the parasite on such a host was made possible. Egg encapsulation in the weakened C. hesperidum was more frequent in mature scales than in younger stages of the host. None of the eggs of M. swirskii, deposited in Coccophagus - parasitized C. hesperidum, became encapsulated. © 1982 Springer-Verlag.