Lizzio, S., Siscaro, G., & Longo, S. 1998 [Analysis of the key factors of mortality of Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) in Sicilian citrus groves.] Analisi dei principali fattori di mortalita di Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) in agrumeti della Sicilia.. Bollettino di Zoologia Agraria e di Bachicoltura (Milano) 30: 2, 165-183.

Notes: The spread of Aonidiella aurantii throughout Italian citrus groves over the past 10 years led to studies on the key factors of its mortality. The latter were determined by means of multiple linear regression analysis. Field investigations were carried out in two citrus orchards in Sicily with different infestation levels, cultivars and mesoclimatic conditions. Low temperatures were more effective than the higher ones in containing populations of the pest, while relative humidity had no influence. Among its natural enemies, Aphytis melinus and Chilocorus bipustulatus were the most effective. A. melinus was the most important regulating factor of A. aurantii populations at any host density level. However, the predator C. bipustulatus was effective only at high prey population levels, causing in this case a rapid decline of the scale population.