Bayer Crop Science

Beneficial Insects

Aphytis lingnanensis - Harmless

Aphytis lignanensis The adult, a small, pale yellow wasp, about 1 mm long also destroys many scales by mutilating them to feed on their body fluids. At 26 C the life cycle of Aphytis lignanensis takes 16 to 17 days and the adults live for 2 to 3 weeks. Aphytis lignanensis attacks virgin adult female scales (also second instar and male prepupae). Its eggs, which are white and teardrop-shaped, are laid on or under the scale body as distinct from the scale covering or cap. They hatch into yellow rotund larvae which feed on the scale body, eventually growing almost as big as the body of the scale itself. When full grown the parasitic larva forms a yellow pupa about 1 mm long. It is readily recognised because it is surrounded by a number of brown larval faecal pellets.

Euseius citri - Harmless

A predatory mite that prays on the second instar of cirus thrips. Predatory mites are usually distinguished from mite pests by their rapid movement over the leaf surfaces and fruit. The body colour of Euseius citri is pale.

Trichogrammatoidea cryptophlebiae - Slightly harmfull

Trichogramma are tiny wasps about 0,4 mm long that parasitise eggs of False codling moth. The wasps lay eggs into the moth eggs and hatch into larve inside the egg and develop info fully formed wasps before emerging. The moth eggs turn black in colour. The egg shells remain dark after the wasp has emerged and are easily identified.

Honey bees - Apis mellifera - Harmless

The honey bee is not a tru beneficial predator, however is classified as a pollinator. The effect that chemicals have on the pollinators is tested and reported under the effects on beneficial insects.

Chilocorus nigritus - Harmfull

Chilocorus nigritus is an excellent predator of red scale. The adult predators are round in shape. Adult Chilocorus nigritus are black with a brown / orange head and pronotal flaps. The larval stages of Chilocorus nigritus have a distinctive colouration on the upper surface.

Coccidoxenoides peregrinus - Harmful

Coccidoxenoides peregrinus is a good predator of Planococcus citri (mealybug). The small parasitoid (1 mm) is a predominantly black coloured natural enemy exclusively parasitizing Planococcus citri.

Beneficial insects images supplied by Citrus Research International