Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Deployment of mating disruption dispensers before and after first seasonal male flights for the control of Aonidiella aurantii in citrus

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Pest Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The rejection of citrus fruit caused by infestations of the California red scale (CRS), Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), raises concerns about its management. This fact has led to the introduction of new integrated control methods in citrus orchards, including the implementation of techniques based on pheromones. Previous works described efficient mating disruption pheromone dispensers to control A. aurantii in the Mediterranean region. The main aims of the present study were to adjust the timing of dispenser applications and study the importance of controlling the early first generation of A. aurantii by testing two different application dates: before and after the first CRS male flight. The efficacy of the different mating disruption strategies was tested during 2010 in an experimental orchard and these results were confirmed during 2011 in a commercial citrus farm. Results showed that every mating disruption strategy achieved significantly lower male captures in monitoring pheromone traps compared with untreated plots, as well as mean fruit infestation reductions of about 80 %. The control of the first CRS generation is not essential for achieving a good efficacy as demonstrated in two locations with different pest pressure. The late application of MD dispensers before the second CRS male flight has proven to be effective, suggesting a new advantageous way to apply mating disruption.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Avidov Z, Balshin M, Gerson U (1970) Studies on Aphytis coheni, a parasite of the California red scale, Aonidiella aurantii in Israel. Biocontrol 15:191–207

    Google Scholar 

  • Barzakay I, Hefetz A, Sternlicht M, Peleg BA, Gokkes M, Singer G, Geffen D, Kronenberg S (1986) Further field trials on management of the California red scale, Aonidiella aurantii, by mating disruption with its sex-pheromone. Phytoparasitica 14:160–161

    Google Scholar 

  • Bedford ECG (1996) Problems which we face in bringing red scale, Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell), under biological control in citrus in South Africa. Proc Int Soc Citriculture 1:485–492

    Google Scholar 

  • Campos-Rivela JM, Martínez-Ferrer MT, Fibla-Queralt JM (2012) Population dynamics and seasonal trend of California red scale (Aonidiella aurantii Maskell) in citrus in Northern Spain. Span J Agric Res 10:198–208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collins PJ, Lambkin TM, Bodnaruk P (1994) Suspected resistance to methidation in Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) (Homoptera: diaspididae) from Queensland. J Aust Entomol Soc 33:325–326

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corma A, Muñoz-Pallares J, Primo-Yufera E (1999) Production of semiochemical emitters having a controlled emission speed which are based on inorganic molecular sieves. World Patent WO9944420

  • Corma A, Muñoz-Pallares J, Primo-Yufera E (2000) Emitter of semiochemical substances supported on a sepiolite, preparation process and applications. World Patent WO0002448

  • DeBach P (1959) New species and strains of Aphytis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) parasitic on the California red scale, Aonidiella aurantii (Mask.), in the Orient. Ann Entomol Soc Am 52:354–362

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeBach P, Argyriou L (1967) The colonization and success in Greece of some imported Aphytis spp. (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) parasitic on citrus scale insects (Homoptera: Diaspididae). Biocontrol 12:325–342

    Google Scholar 

  • Desneux N, Decourtye A, Delpuech JM (2007) The sublethal effects of pesticides on beneficial arthropods. Ann Rev Entomol 52:81–106

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Diari Oficial de la Comunitat Valenciana (DOCV) (2008) DOCV no. 5901, 26. Resolution 27 October 2008 of Consellería de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación; November 2008. http://www.docv.gva.es/datos/2008/11/26/pdf/2008_13692.pdf

  • Domínguez-Ruiz J, Sanchis J, Navarro-Llopis V, Primo J (2008) A new long-life trimedlure dispenser for Mediterranean fruit fly. J Econ Entomol 101:1325–1330

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eliahu M, Blumberg D, Horowitz AR, Ishaaya I (2007) Effect of pyriproxyfen on developing stages and embryogenesis of California red scale (CRS), Aonidiella aurantii. Pest Manag Sci 63:743–746

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Furness G, Buchanan G, George R, Richardson N (1983) A history of the biological and integrated control of red scale, Aonidiella aurantii on citrus in the lower Murray Valley of Australia. Biocontrol 28:99–212

    Google Scholar 

  • Grafton-Cardwell EE, Gu P (2003) Conserving vedalia beetle, Rodolia cardinalis (Mulsant) (Coleoptera : Coccinellidae), in citrus: a continuing challenge as new insecticides gain registration. J Econ Entomol 96:1388–1398

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grafton-Cardwell EE, Reagan CA (1995) Selective use of insecticides for control of armored scale (Homoptera: Diaspididae) in San-Joaquin Valley California citrus. J Econ Entomol 88:1717–1725

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grafton-Cardwell EE, Vehrs SLC (1995) Monitoring for organophosphate-resistant and carbamate-resistant armored scale (Homoptera: Diaspididae) in San-Joaquin Valley citrus. J Econ Entomol 88:495–504

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grafton-Cardwell EE, Lee JE, Stewart JR, Olsen KD (2006) Role of two insect growth regulators in integrated pest management of citrus scales. J Econ Entomol 99:733–744

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grout TG, Richards GI (1991a) Effect of buprofezin applications at different phenological times on California red scale (Homoptera: Diaspididae). J Econ Entomol 84:1802–1805

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grout TG, Richards GI (1991b) Value of pheromone traps for predicting infestations of red scale, Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) (Homoptera: Diaspididae), limited by natural enemy activity and insecticides used to control citrus thrips, Scirtothrips aurantii Faure (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). J Appl Entomol 111:20–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grout TG, Du Toit WJ, Hofmeyr JH, Richards GI (1989) California red scale (Homoptera: Diaspididae) phenology on citrus in South Africa. J Econ Entomol 82:793–798

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hefetz A, Kronengerg S, Peleg BA, Bar-zakay I (1988) Mating disruption of the California red scale Aonidiella aurantii (Homoptera: Diaspididae). In: Proceeding 6th International Citrus Congress, Tel Aviv (Israel), pp 1121–1127

  • Hernández-Penadés P, Rodríguez-Reina JM, García-Marí F (2002) Umbrales de tratamiento para cóccidos diaspídidos en cítricos. Bol San Veg Plagas 28:469–478

    Google Scholar 

  • Hothorn T, Bretz F, Westfall P (2008) Simultaneous Inference in General Parametric Models. Biometrical J 50:346–363

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ioratti C, Anfora G, Tasin M, De Cristofaro A, Witzgall P, Lucchi A (2011) Chemical ecology and management of Lobesia botrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). J Econ Entomol 104:1125–1137

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kehat M, Anshelevich L, Harel M, Dunkelblum E (1995) Control of the codling moth (Cydia pomonella) in apple and pear orchards in Israel by mating disruption. Phytoparasitica 23:285–296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kennett CE, Hoffmann RW (1985) Seasonal development of the California red scale (Homoptera: Diaspididae) in San Joaquin Valley citrus based on degree-day accumulation. J Econ Entomol 78:73–79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levitin E, Cohen E (1998) The involvement of acetylcholinesterase in resistance of the California red scale shape Aonidiella aurantii to organophosphorus pesticides. Entomol Exp Appl 88:115–121

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lykouressis D, Perdikis D, Samartzis D, Fantinou A, Toutouzas S (2005) Management of the pink bollworm Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) by mating disruption in cotton fields. Crop Prot 24:177–183

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McLaren IW, Buchanan GA (1973) Parasitism by Aphytis chrysomphali Mercet and A. melinus Debach of Californian red scale, Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell), in relation to seasonal availability of suitable stages of the scale. Austr J Zool 21:111–117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moreno DS, Kennett CE (1985) Predictive year-end California red scale (Homoptera: Diaspididae) orange fruit infestations based on catches of males in the San-Joaquin Valley. J Econ Entomol 78:1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moreno DS, Luck RF (1992) Augmentative releases of Aphytis melinus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) to suppress California red scale (Homoptera: Diaspididae) in southern California lemon orchards. J Econ Entomol 85:1112–1119

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pekas A, Aguilar A, Tena A, García-Marí F (2010) Influence of host size on parasitism by Aphytis chrysomphali and A. melinus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) in Mediterranean populations of California red scale Aonidiella aurantii (Hemiptera: Diaspididae). Biol Control 55:132–140

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rill S, Grafton-Cardwell EE, Morse JG (2007) Effects of pyriproxyfen on California red scale (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) development and reproduction. J Econ Entomol 100:1435–1443

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rodrigo E, Troncho P, García-Marí F (1996) Parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) of three scale insects (Homoptera: Diaspididae) in a citrus grove in Valencia, Spain. Entomophaga 41:77–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roelofs WL, Gieselmann MJ, Cardé AM, Tashiro H, Moreno DS, Henrick CA, Anderson RJ (1977) Sex-pheromone of California red scale, Aonidiella aurantii. Nature 26:698–699

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rongai D, Cerato C, Lazzeri L, Palmieri S, Patalano G (2008) Vegetable oil formulation as biopesticide to control California red scale (Aonidiella aurantii Maskell). J Pest Sci 81:179–185

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sorribas JJ, Rodríguez R, Rodrigo E, García-Marí F (2008) Niveles de parasitismo y especies de parasitoides del piojo rojo de california Aonidiella aurantii (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) en cítricos de la Comunidad Valenciana. Bol San Veg Plagas 34:201–210

    Google Scholar 

  • Sorribas J, van Baaren J, Garcia-Marí F (2012) Effects of climate on the introduction, distribution and biotic potential of parasitoids: applications to biological control of California red scale. Biol Control 62:103–112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Staten RT, Flint HM, Weddle RC, Quintero E, Zarate RE, Finell CM, Hernandes M, Yamamoto A (1987) Pink bollworm (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae): large-scale field trials with a high-rate gossyplure formulation. J Econ Entomol 80:1267–1271

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tashiro H, Chambers DL (1967) Reproduction in the California Red Scale, Aonidiella aurantii (Homoptera: Diaspididae). I. Discovery and extraction of a female sex pheromone. Ann Entomol Soc Am 60:1166–1170

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tena A, Llácer E, Urbaneja A (2013) Biological control of a non-honeydew producer mediated by a distinct hierarchy of honeydew quality. Biol Control 67:117–122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • University of California (1991) Integrated pest management for citrus. University of California, Berkeley

    Google Scholar 

  • Vacas S, Alfaro C, Navarro-Llopis V, Primo J (2009) The first account of the mating disruption technique for the control of California red scale Aonidiella aurantii Maskell (Homoptera: Diaspididae) using new biodegradable dispensers. Bull Entomol Res 99:415–423

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vacas S, Alfaro C, Navarro-Llopis V, Primo J (2010) Mating disruption of California red scale, Aonidiella aurantii Maskell (Homoptera: Diaspididae), using biodegradable mesoporous pheromone dispensers. Pest Manag Sci 66:745–751

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vacas S, Vanaclocha P, Alfaro C, Primo J, Verdú MJ, Urbaneja A, Navarro-Llopis V (2011) Mating disruption for the control of Aonidiella aurantii Maskell (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) may contribute to increased effectiveness of natural enemies. Pest Manag Sci 68:142–148

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vanaclocha P, Vacas S, Alfaro C, Primo J, Verdú MJ, Navarro-Llopis V, Urbaneja A (2012) Life history parameters and scale-cover surface area of Aonidiella aurantii are altered in a mating disruption environment: implications for biological control. Pest Manag Sci 68:1092–1097

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vanaclocha P, Vidal-Quist C, Oheix S, Montón H, Planes L, Catalán J, Tena A, Verdú MJ, Urbaneja A (2013) Acute toxicity in laboratory tests of fresh and aged residues of pesticides used in citrus on the parasitoid Aphytis melinus. J Pest Sci 86:329–336

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yarom I, Blumberg D, Ishaaya I (1988) Effects of buprofezin on California red scale (Homoptera: Diaspididae) and Mediterranean black scale (Homoptera: Coccidae). J Econ Entomol 81:1581–1585

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yust HR, Nelson HD, Busbey RL (1943) Comparative susceptibility of two strains of California red scale to HCN, with special reference to the inheritance of resistance. J Econ Entomol 36:744–749

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors want to thank Fernando Alfaro from Denia, Antonio Caballero, and Javier Macias from Rio Tinto Fruit S.A. (Huelva, Spain) for field support. We also thank Ecologia y Protección Agrícola SL for the pheromone supply. This work has been funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (project AGL2009-10725) and Agroalimed Foundation. The translation of this paper was funded by the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (Spain).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Ecología Química Agrícola - Instituto Agroforestal del Mediterráneo, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, edificio 6C, 5a planta, 46022, Valencia, Spain

    S. Vacas, C. Alfaro, J. Primo & V. Navarro-Llopis

Authors
  1. S. Vacas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C. Alfaro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. Primo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. V. Navarro-Llopis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Vacas.

Additional information

Communicated by P.G. Becher.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Vacas, S., Alfaro, C., Primo, J. et al. Deployment of mating disruption dispensers before and after first seasonal male flights for the control of Aonidiella aurantii in citrus. J Pest Sci 88, 321–329 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-014-0623-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-014-0623-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation