natural enemies soft scales
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Microterys nietneri (= flavus) parasitic wasp against soft scales
Appearance: The females of Microterys nietneri are yellow. Their wings and antennae are marked with a pattern of black and white bands. Males are black. Both sexes are 2 mm in length. Parasitized soft scales can be recognized by one or more dark rings under their scale-cover in the centre of which the larva of the parasitic wasp is growing. A young parasitic wasp leaves the scale through a hole in the scale-cover at the end of the pupa, clearly visible from above. Effect/Activity: Microterys nietneri is very effective in controlling the soft brown scale (Coccus hesperidum); It is less effective in controlling other soft scale species. Microterys parasitizes small as well as larger instars of the soft scale. The number of eggs deposited in one scale depends on the size of the scale. Up to 7 new adult parasitoids can emerge from one scale. Conditions: Lower temperature threshold for Microterys is 18°C. A temperature of 32ºC or more during a prolonged period of time is lethal for this beneficial. Microterys is not very critical towards humidity. Biology: Microterys grows up from egg to adult inside it's host, the soft scale. At 25ºC this development takes about 2 weeks. Apart from parasitizing adult parasitoids are killing young scales too by feeding on them, the so called host feeding. This behaviour increases the life-span of the adult wasp. Adults can live for a maximum of 2 months. A female can lay about 70 eggs during her lifetime. Application: MICROTERYS NIETNERI can be used successfully in interior landscapes, botanical gardens, zoo's, research greenhouses and nurseries with ornamental plants. |
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Coccophagus spp. parasitic wasp against soft scales
Appearance: Females as well as males are black, females having a clearly visible yellow/white spot on their back. Legs are yellow to bright in colour. Size of the wasps is 1-2 mm. Approximately two weeks after parasitization the soft scales turn black. The young full-grown parasitoid emerges through a hole at the end of the pupa. The dead soft scales stay black in colour even when the parasitoid has emerged. Effect/Activity: Coccophagus can be used effectively against the soft brown scale (Coccus hesperidum) and against the hemispherical scale (Saissetia coffeae). Other soft scale species like Pulvinaria spp. will be parasitized as well. Coccophagus prefers smaller instars for parasitization. Females lay only one egg per host. In contrast to other soft scale parasitoids Coccophagus is not much troubled by presence of ants. Conditions: Coccophagus is not very critical towards humidity. It is best active at temperatures of 18°C or more. In moderate climate conditions Coccophagus can be used outdoors as well for control of Pulvinaria and Parthenolecanium. Biology: Egg to adult development is inside the soft scale. At 25°C this takes about 3 weeks. Adult parasitoids feed themselves by piercing smaller instars of the soft scale and sucking body fluids from them (host-feeding). This feeding behaviour extends the life span of the adult parasitoids to approximately 2 months. Soft scales that have been fed upon will die. Application: COCCOPHAGUS can be used in interior landscapes, research greenhouses, botanical, zoo's as well as outdoors |
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Metaphycus flavus parasitic wasp against soft scales
Appearance: Metaphycus flavus is a yellow parasitic wasp, 1 mm in size. Males look like females; their abdomen is darker than the one of a female. Parasitized soft scales can be recognized by one or more dark rings under their scale-cover. In the middle of the ring of excrements the larva of the Metaphycus is growing. A young parasitic wasp leaves the scale through a hole in the scale-cover at the end of the pupa, clearly visible from above. Effect/Activity: Metaphycus flavus is effective in controlling the soft brown scale (Coccus hesperidum) and the hemispherical scale (Saissetia coffeae). Metaphycus can parasitize small as well as larger instars of the soft scale. The number of eggs deposited in one scale depends on the size of the scale. Up to 7 new adult parasitoids can emerge from one scale. Conditions: Lower temperature threshold for Metaphycus flavus 18ºC. Metaphycus is not very critical towards humidity. Biology: Metaphycus grows up from egg to adult inside the soft scale. At 25ºC this development takes about two weeks. Apart from parasitizing adult parasitoids kill young scales by feeding on them (host-feeding). This behaviour increases the life-span of the adult wasp. Adults can live for a maximum of two months. Soft scales that have been fed upon will die. Application: METAPHYCUS FLAVUS can be used in interior landscapes, botanical gardens, zoo's as well as outdoors in (sub) tropical regions. |
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Metaphycus helvolus parasitic wasp against soft scales
Appearance: Metaphycus helvolus is a brownyellow parasitic wasp, 1 mm in size. Males are black and smaller; their abdomen is darker than the one of a female. Parasitized soft scales can be recognized by one or more dark rings under their scale-cover. In the middle of the ring of excrements the larva of the Metaphycus is growing. A young parasitic wasp leaves the scale through a hole in the scale-cover at the end of the pupa, clearly visible from above. Effect/Activity: Metaphycus helvolus is effective in controlling the hemispherical scale (Saissetia cofeae) and the black scale (Saissetia oleae). Metaphycus can parasitize small as well as larger instars of the soft scale. The number of eggs deposited in one scale depends on the size of the scale. Up to 7 new adult parasitoids can emerge from one scale. Conditions: Lower temperature threshold for Metaphycus flavus 18ºC. Metaphycus is not very critical towards humidity. Biology: Metaphycus grows up from egg to adult inside the soft scale. At 25ºC this development takes about two weeks. Apart from parasitizing adult parasitoids kill young scales by feeding on them (host-feeding). This behaviour increases the life-span of the adult wasp. Adults can live for a maximum of two months. Soft scales that have been fed upon will die. Application: METAPHYCUS HELVOLUS can be used in interior landscapes, botanical gardens, zoo's as well as outdoors in (sub) tropical regions. |
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Metaphycus stanleyi parasitic wasp against soft scales
Appearance: Metaphycus stanleyi is a grey-brown parasitic wasp, about 2 mm in size. The difference between males and females is difficult to see. Metaphycus parasitizes the black scale. A parasitized scale becomes more brown coloured and smoother than a scale which is not parasitized. When the parasitoid has left the scale insect, some holes in the scale-cover are visible. Effect/Activity: Metaphycus stanleyi parasitizes the soft brown scale (Coccus hesperidum) and the hemispherical scale (Saissetia coffeae). For parasitization the not hardened stages of the adult soft scale are selected. Metaphycus stanleyi deposits more than one egg in the soft scale. The larvae of the parasitoid grow up in the scale insect and leave it through a small hole. Conditions: Lower temperature threshold for Metaphycus stanleyi is 18ºC. Light intensity and day length are important prerequisites for a successful introduction. Best time to use Metaphycus stanleyi is March till October. Metaphycus stanleyi is not very critical towards humidity. Biology: Metaphycus stanleyi grows up from egg to adult inside the soft scale. At 25ºC this development takes about 18 days. A female can lay about 200-300 eggs during her lifetime. Adults can live for a maximum of two months. Application: METAPHYCUS STANLEYI can be used in interior landscapes, botanical gardens, zoo's as well as outdoors in (sub) tropical regions. |
