Pawar, A.D., Martínez, M.A., & Verdú, M.J. 2003 Field parasitoids of Aonidiella aurantii (Homoptera: Diaspididae) in Valencia (Spain).. Bulletin OILB/SROP (Sect. Reg. Ouest Palearctique) 26(6): 109-115.

Notes: [Integrated control in citrus fruit crops. Proceedings of the IOBC/WPRS Working Group, Valencia, Spain, 6-8 November, 2002. Garcia-Marí, F. (Ed.) Publisher: International Organization for Biological and Integrated Control of Noxious Animals and Plants (OIBC/OILB), West Palaearctic Regional Section (WPRS/SROP).] California red scale, Aonidiella aurantii is considered a citrus key pest in Spain. Nowadays, red scale is controlled using non-selective organophosphate pesticides. Fortunately, there is a trend throughout the world to minimize the use of insecticides in citrus and to promote the control of pests by the use of natural enemies. The first step previous to natural enemies releases is to know field parasitoid structure and to study parasitoid interaction. A survey was carried out in a citrus field in València (east coast of Spain). As a result, two parasitoids were found: Aphytis chrysomphali and Aphytis melinus. Aphytis chrysomphali was the predominant species. Aphytis melinus was mainly found on third instar female scales and Aphytis chrysomphali on male scales. The sex ratio was 1:1 for Aphytis melinus and it was dependent on the host size. Only females of Aphytis chrysomphali were found.