Domínguez, J., Pina, T., & Verdú, M.J. 2003 Effects of the mineral oil Sunspray UltrafineR on California red scale parasitoids Aphytis chrysomphali, A. lingnanensis, Comperiella bifasciata and Encarsia perniciosi.. Bulletin OILB/SROP (Sect. Reg. Ouest Palearctique) 26(6): 117.

Notes: ['Integrated control in citrus fruit crops'. Proceedings of the IOBC/WPRS Working Group, Valencia, Spain, 6-8 November, 2002. Garcia-Marí, F. (Ed.) Publisher: International Organization for Biological and Integrated Control of Noxious Animals and Plants (OIBC/OILB), West Palaearctic Regional Section (WPRS/SROP)] California red scale, Aonidiella aurantii, is a major pest of citrus worldwide. Parasitoids, such as the native species Aphytis chrysomphali, play a fundamental role in the control of the pest. Aphytis lingnanensis, C. bifasciata and E. perniciosi have been recently introduced to implement the biological control of red scale. Laboratory experiments were carried out on the larvae and pupae of the natural enemies to determine the effects of mineral oils used against citrus pests. Oil was applied to parasitoid populations at the recommended dosage (1.5%). The mortality of larvae and pupae were recorded. The mortality of the larvae and pupae of the ectoparasitoids Aphytis chrysomphali and Aphytis lingnanensis was 98%. The mortality of pupae of the endoparasitoids C. bifasciata and E. perniciosi was 85%. The lack of persistence and the absence of resistance mechanisms on target arthropods, make the use of mineral oils safer to the natural enemies than the conventional insecticides.