Stathas, G.J., Bouras, S.L., Eliopoulos, P.A., & Emmanouel, N.G. 2005 Control of diaspidid scales on olive trees by releasing coccinellid predators.. Bulletin OILB/SROP (Sect. Reg. Ouest Palearctique) 28(9): 157-166.

Notes: [Proceedings of the European meeting of the IOBC/WPRS Working Group "Integrated Protection of Olive Crops", (Kalaitzaki, A., Alexandrakis, V. & Varikou, K., Eds.) Chania, Greece, 29-31 May 2003.] Data are presented on the phenology of the scale insects Aspidiotus nerii, Lepidosaphes ulmi and Parlatoria oleae of olive trees as well as on their potential control with releases of the coccinellid predators Rhyzobius lophanthae and Chilocorus bipustulatus reared in insectaries. P. oleae was studied in southern Greece, while Aspidiotus nerii and L. ulmi were studied in central Greece during November 2001-October 2002. The scales L. ulmi, P. oleae and Aspidiotus nerii completed one, two and three generations during this period, respectively. The hymenopterous parasitoid Aphytis mytilaspidis and the parasitic mite Hemisarcoptes nr. malus were recorded as natural enemies of L. ulmi. Four natural enemies of Aspidiotus nerii were found, namely the parasitic wasps Aphytis melinus and Aphytis chilensis and the coccinelid predators R. lophanthae and C. bipustulatus, while Aphytis maculicornis, C. bipustulatus and R. lophanthae acted against P. oleae. Releases of R. lophanthae and C. bipustulatus were not responsible for the reduction of the population of L. ulmi, which was due to the activity of the local populations of H. nr. malus. As for Aspidiotus nerii and P. oleae, the reduction of infestation level was credited to the activity of R. lophanthae and C. bipustulatus, respectively.