Morsi, G.A., & Moussa, S.F.M. 2004 Seasonal abundance of the fig wax scale insect, Ceroplastes rusci Linneus (Homoptera: Coccidae) and its parasitoids in Middle Egypt.. Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control 14(1): 59-64.

Notes: [Proceedings of the 1st Arab Conference for Applied Biological Pest Control, Cairo, Egypt, 5 to 7 April 2004.] The fig wax scale insect, C. rusci, is considered as the most serious scale insect attacking Psidium guajava, Ficus carica, Citrus sinensis, mandarin, Citrus spp., Mangifera indica, Vitis venifera, Malus sylvestris, Aberia caffra [Dovyalis caffra], Dalbergia sissoo, Schinus terebinthifolius, Nerium oleander and some ornamental plants. The seasonal abundance and percentage of parasitism of the fig soft scale insect was determined on leaves of guava in Beni-Suif Governorate during May 2001-April 2003. The average bi-weekly number of insects/leaf fluctuated throughout the two seasons of infestation with 2-3 annual peaks of abundance. In the first season, 3 peaks occurred in June, October and January; however in the second season 2 peaks were recorded in July and November. The parasitoid species, Metaphycus helvolus, M. zebratus, Habrolepis sp., Scutellista cyanea [S. caerulea], Microterys flavus [M. nietneri], Microtyres sp., Tetrastichus ceroplastae [Aprostocetus ceroplastae], Marietta exitiosa [Marietta leopardina] and Marietta sp. were found parasitizing C. rusci in Beni-Suif Governorate. The rates of mortality caused by the above-mentioned parasitoids were estimated.