Field parasitism of comperiella calauanica Barrion et al. (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) on aspidiotus rigidus Reyne (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) in Southern Tagalog Region, Philippines

Issue Date

10-2017

Abstract

Comperiella calauanica Barrion et al. was discovered in 2014 as a native endoparasitoid of the coconut scale insect (CSI), Aspidiotus rigidus Reyne. An outbreak of CSI devastated coconut plantations and stands in the southern part of Luzon, Philippines from 2010 to 2015. So far, C. calauanica is the only associate of A. rigidus that has been very highly efficient as a natural enemy and great potential for biological control. To evaluate such potential, the degree of parasitism of C. calauanica in the field was assessed across three periods from August 2014 to June 2015 in selected areas of Southern Tagalog. Average percent parasitization of A. rigidus by C. calauanica was found to be notably high, ranging from 44.9-92.4% in August 2014, 57-92.6% in December 2014-January 2015, and 89-96.5% in June 2015. Consistent findings of significant, very high positive correlation between the total number of scales and the number of parasitized scales suggest host density-dependent parasitism by C. calauanica. Furthermore, a significant decrease in the abundance of A. rigidus in the monitored points in Southern Tagalog was found to be remarkably parallel with the complete recovery of the sampled coconut palms that did not receive chemical treatment. Collectively, these findings not only point to the very high potential of C. calauanica as a biological control agent against A. rigidus, but also suggest the putative role of natural biological control in the management of the CSI outbreak in the region.

Source or Periodical Title

The Philippine Entomologist

ISSN

0048-3753

Volume

31

Issue

2

Page

146-147

Document Type

Article

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

COMPERIELLA; ENCYRTIDAE; ASPIDIOTUS; ENDOPARASITES; INSECTA; PESTS; PEST OF PLANTS; PEST INSECTSPARASITISM, HOST PARASITE RELATIONS; NATURAL ENEMIES; BIOLOGICAL CONTROL; BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS

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