Biocontrol Science and Technology (2014) 24, 190-202

J.F. Rosado, L. Bacci, J.C. Martins, G.A. Silva, L.M. Gontijo and M.C. Picanço (2014)
Natural biological control of green scale (Hemiptera: Coccidae): a field life-table study
Biocontrol Science and Technology 24 (2), 190-202
Abstract: Understanding how the biotic and abiotic factors influence pest-population dynamics is important to implement sound pest management strategies in biological control and integrated pest management (IPM) programmes. Coccus viridis (Green) is an important indirect pest of coffee plants, but very little has been done to understand the factors that contribute most for its biological control in the field. In the present study, we examined the critical life stage and the key factors associated with the mortality of C. viridis in coffee plantations in Brazil by conducting field-based life table studies. Predators, parasitoids, fungi, infested leaf abscission and rainfall were collectively responsible for a total C. viridis mortality of 96.08%. Predation by coccinellids was the key factor governing the mortality of C. viridis. The parasitism of early instars by parasitoids was the second most important factor contributing to C. viridis mortality. Unlike the parasitoids, the fungus Lecanicillium lecanii caused mortality of scales in more advanced life stages. The abscission of infested leaves from the trees, and rainfall also contributed to the mortality of C. viridis. The nymph stage was considered the critical stage for mortality of C. viridis in the field. The results suggest that predators (Coccinellidae) are the most important factors controlling C. viridis, and thus should be the target of conservation measures in coffee plantations infested with this pest.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
(original language: English)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Leandro Bacci, Júlio Cláudio Martins, Marcelo Coutinho Picanco

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Coccus viridis	Coffee (Coffea)
Akanthomyces lecanii (entomopathogen)	Coccus viridis	Coffee (Coffea)