James, D.G., Stevens, M.M., & O'Malley, K.J. 1997 The impact of foraging on populations of Coccus hesperidum L. (Hem., Coccidae) and Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) (Hem., Diaspididae) in an Australian citrus grove.. Journal of Applied Entomology 121: 257-259.

Notes: Coccus hesperidum, and the non-honeydew-producing armoured scale, Aonidiella aurantii, were evaluated during two seasons in southern New South Wales. Numbers of C. hesperidum and A. aurantii were substantially greater (3-12 times) in trees containing foraging ants than in trees from which ants were excluded. It is likely that I. rufoniger gp. spp. protects both scale species by disrupting the activity of natural enemies. Effective control of honeydew-seeking ants appears to be a prerequisite for biological control-based management of honeydew-producers in Australian citrus groves.