Ecology and Biological Control of Ice Plant Scales, 'Pulvinariella mesembryanthemi' and 'Pulvinaria delotti', in California. Subproject 2. Biological Control of Ice Plant Scales in California

摘要

Seven species of ice plant scale natural enemies have been introduced into California from South Africa. Three species, the parasitoids, Metaphycus stramineus and Metaphycus funicularis and a predator, Exochomus flavipes, have been successfully established as permanent additions to California's fauna. As a result of the actions of these natural enemies in reducing ice plant scale densities, the continued use of insecticidal control should no longer be necessary in much of the ice plant landscaping along California's freeway system. Biological data, in some cases very specific and detailed, have been developed for all seven natural enemies.