Distribution and parasitization records of Comperiella sp. (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in Southern Tagalog Provinces infested by Aspidiotus rigidus Reyne (Hemiptera: Diaspididae)

Issue Date

10-2016

Abstract

The outbreak of the invasive coconut scale insect, Aspidiotus rigidus Reyne, in Southern Luzon, first observed in 2009 in the province of Batangas, severely devastated plantations and consequently impaired production in the coconut-producing areas in Southern Luzon. It was declared a national emergency in mid-2014. In the light of this crisis, surveys were conducted in search of native natural enemies in mid-2014. In the light of this crisis, surveys were conducted in search of native natural enemies that may be part of the pest's natural enemy complex and that may be eventually be used as biological control agents as part of the environmentally sound and sustainable integrated pest management (IPM) protocol. Among the natural enemies found, a tiny parasitoid wasp, identified to belong to the encyrtid genus Competiella Howard, showed direct association with A. rigidus in Calauan, Laguna. No record of native species of Comperiella has been reported prior to the survey conducted in Calauan, Laguna. Additionally, thorough morphological examination of the parasitoid suggested that the parasitoid is a completely new species. Its distribution covers not only the province of Laguna but all areas of Southern Tagalog with coconut scale-infested trees. From samples of coconut fronds collected randomly from different points in three provinces in August 2014, its parasitization in A. rigidus ranged from about 65 to 92% with the highest average percent parasitization recorded in the Batangas towns of Tanauan and Sto. Tomas. Furthermore, correlation and linear regression analyses showed density-dependent parasitism by Comperiella sp. on A. rigidus. These findings, in conjunction with observed spread of the parasitoid in the Southern Tagalog, suggest the high potential of this new species of Comperiella as a biological control agent against A. rigidus.

Source or Periodical Title

The Philippine Entomologist

ISSN

0048-3753

Volume

30

Issue

2

Page

191

Document Type

Article

Frequency

semi-annually

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

COCCOIDEA; COMPERIELLA; ENCYRTIDAE; ASPIDIOTUS; HYMENOPTERA; COCONUTS; PESTS OF PLANTS; PARASITOIDS; ECONOMIC DISTRIBUTIONS; PHILIPPINES

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