El Kaoutari, I., Guirroub, Z., Chemseddinea, M., & Boumezzough, A. 2004 Rôle d'Aphytis melinus (DeBach) dans le contrôle naturel d'Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) en verger d'agrumes au Maroc. [The role of Aphytis melinus (DeBach) in biological control of Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) in Moroccan citrus orchards.]. Fruits 59: 169-179.

Notes: In Morocco, the parasitoid A. melinus is the most effective agent of biological control against the propagation of A. aurantii or California red scale, a very harmful insect to Moroccan citrus-fruit cultivation. Now, this hymenopteran is naturally present in the Tadla area, an important region for citrus cultivation in the centre of Morocco (325 295 ha). Thus, the integrated protection of citrus fruits against A. aurantii could constitute a possibility of a promising control compared with methodical chemical control. Our study was a precondition to the implementation of an integrated control strategy in citrus orchards in the Tadla area by the monitoring of A. aurantii and its principal parasite, A. melinus. Our experiments were carried out during the years 2000 and 2001 in an untreated orchard, made up of a mixture of citrus fruit varieties. The evolution of the A. aurantii population dynamic and of A. melinus was followed, and the abundance periods of the pest receptive stages coinciding with the activity periods of its parasitoid were located. In the Tadla area, the California red scale presented four generations per annum, a spring generation (April-May), a summer generation (June-July) and two autumnal generations (October and November-December). Pest stages that could be parasitised by A. melinus were observed throughout the year. Two periods (spring and autumnal) particularly suitable for the parasitoid female spawning were observed. A. melinus populations appeared to be significant from the very start of the autumn and until the end of the following spring. The release of A. melinus carried out during the autumn, winter and spring could thus be effective.