Population density of aphids infesting some citrus trees species and its predators and parasitoids in recently reclaimed areas in Skarkia province, Egypt

Abstract

The goal of the current study was to evaluate the efficiency of parasitoids and predators as biocontrol agents against aphids infesting citrus trees (Navel orange, Mandarin, and Valencia orange) in the growing seasons of 2019 and 2020. The following aphid species were recorded Aphis gossypii (Glover), Aphis craccivora Koch, Aphis citricola (van D.Goot) and Myzus persicae (Sulzer). The common predators caught on citrus trees were: Orius albidipennis Reut, Chrysoperrla carnea Steph., Coccinella undecimpunctata L., and Metasyrphus corolla F, while one parasitoid was Diaeretiella rapae (M’Intosh). The overall number of aphids observed on navel orange, mandarin, and Valencia orange trees throughout the 2019 and 2020 seasons was highest for A. gossypii and lowest for M. persicae. In case of predators Coccinella undecimpunctata recorded the highest number while, Orius albidipennis had the lowest number during 2019 and 2020 seasons. Citrus orchards have important role in the national economic in Egypt (El- Kassas 1984). Citrus trees (navel orange, mandarin and Valencia orange) are considered of the most important crops