Bulletin of Entomological Research (1995) 85, 235-240

Sergey Izraylevich and Uri Gerson (1995)
Spatial patterns of the parasitic mite Hemisarcoptes coccophagus (Astigmata: Hemisarcoptidae): host effect, density-dependence of aggregation, and implications for biological control
Bulletin of Entomological Research 85 (2), 235-240
Abstract: The spatial distribution of the parasitic mite Hemisarcoptes coccophagus Meyer on two armoured scale insects (Homoptera: Diaspididae) was highly aggregated in the field. Mites were more aggregated on young than on ovipositing host scale females. No differences in the mite's distribution pattern were found between latania scale (Hemiberlesia lataniae (Signoret)) and oleander scale (Aspidiotus nerii (Bouche)). Mite aggregation was density-dependent on ovipositing host females (the degree of overdispersion decreased as mite abundance increased), but density-independent on young females. The effect of density-dependent and independent mite aggregation on the proportion of hosts escaping attack at different parasite abundances was simulated, and its relevance to biological control of Diaspididae is discussed.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Uri Gerson

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
population dynamics/epizootiology
environment/habitat manipulation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Aspidiotus nerii		Israel
	Hemiberlesia lataniae		Israel
Hemisarcoptes coccophagus (predator)	Aspidiotus nerii		Israel
Hemisarcoptes coccophagus (predator)	Hemiberlesia lataniae		Israel