Tumminelli, R., Amico, C., Conti, F., Fisicaro, R., Saraceno, F., & Mazzone, A. 2001 Resultati di quattro anni di sperimentazione: gestione della cocciniglia rossa forte degli agrumi. [Results of four years of experiments: management of red scale in citrus fruit].. Informatore Agrario 57(19): 31-36.

Notes: Red scale (Aonidiella aurantii) is one of the most important pests of citrus fruits in Sicily, Italy. It was first recorded in 1966 and is mainly present in hotter areas (further from the coast). Traditionally, A. aurantii is controlled in the summer by pre-harvest application of synthetic insecticides or post-harvest application of mineral oils. However, traditional control methods are known to produce undesirable phytotoxic effects, increase susceptibility to frost, and significantly reduced yields. New monitoring techniques have become available recently, based on the use of pheromone traps. As an alternative to the use of chemicals, the use of the natural enemy Aphytis melinus is discussed. The timing of commercially reared A. melinus release, thought to be best in spring, is calculated with the help of pheromone traps which indicate the presence of virgin females of A. aurantii (preferred by A. melinus). The efficacy of A. melinus was tested during 1995-98 in plantations of 20- to 30-year-old Valencia, Tarocco, Moro and Sanguinella oranges and Star Ruby grapefruits. The efficacy and selectivity were also investigated by single and combined applications of imidacloprid, buprofezin, mineral oils and chlorpyrifos-ethyl on 2- and 3-year-old Lunario lemons, Tarocco and Valencia oranges, and Marisol clementines. Data are presented on nontarget effects on Cales noacki, Metaphycus sp., A. melinus, Coccinella septempunctata, Adalia bipunctata, Scymnus spp., Chilocorus bipustulatus, Exochomus quadripustulatus and Rodolia cardinalis.