Factors Contributing to the Natural Control of Citrus Insects and Mites in Florida1

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Abstract
Injurious insects and mites cause large annual losses of the citrus fruit crop in Florida. These losses, although expressed in reduction in yield, are a reflection of leaf, fruit, twig, and root injury by many minor and a few major injurious species. The losses would be even greater were it not for a relatively high degree of natural control which prevents many of the minor species from becoming of economic importance and to some extent limits injurious populations of the major species. At the present time biologic agents such as predators, insect parasites, and pathogenic agents appear to be the most important factors in the natural control of citrus insects and mites in Florida. This paper is concerned with a survey of these factors on the major injurious insects and mites and a preliminary evaluation of their importance to citrus production in the state.

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