ISHS Acta Horticulturae 696: VII International Symposium on Temperate Zone Fruits in the Tropics and Subtropics - Part Two
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF SAN JOSE SCALE IN INDIA - AN OVERVIEW |
| Author: | P.R. Gupta |
| Keywords: | San jose scale, Quadraspidiotus perniciosus, biological control, India |
| Abstract:
San Jose scale, Quadraspidiotus perniciosus (Comstock), is an exotic key pest of deciduous fruit trees introduced in the first decade of twentieth century in Kashmir, India. Although large number of parasitoids and predators act as its natural enemies, yet Aphytis (proclia group) as ectoparasitoid, Encarsia perniciosi Tower as endoparasitoid and Coccinella infernalis Mulsant as predator are recognized as befitting biological control agents. Their biological characteristics indicate potential for suppression of the San Jose scale. Releases of these parasitoids or the coccinellid in Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir have brought relief from pestilence of the scale insect in apple orchards. How these biocontrol agents interact with the host and compete with one another need to be studied. Dormant and summer spray oils prove safer to predators and their toxicity to the parasitoids need to be worked out. Most of insecticides are detrimental to natural enemies and have to be used cautiously in view of safety to them. Nevertheless, biointensive integrated pest management would be desirable for its effective suppression. | |
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