The Hymenopterous Parasites and Hyperparasites of Aphids on Citrus in Israel1

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Abstract
Aphids are minor pests of citrus in Israel. The black citrus aphid, Toxoptera aurantii (Fonscolombe), is rather common, whereas the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), and the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, are rare on citrus. Fifteen species of parasitic Hymenoptera were obtained from these aphid pests in an extensive survey, covering the main citrus-growing regions of Israel. The black citrus aphid was attacked by 7 species of primary parasites, the most important of which was a thelytokous strain of Lysiphlebus ambiguus (Haliday). Hyperparasites, although sometimes rather numerous, did not seem to have any significant effect. Samples of the green peach aphid yielded 2 primary parasites and 1 hyperparasite, and samples of the cotton aphid yielded 1 primary parasite. On the whole, parasitic Hymenoptera may be regarded as secondary factors in the regulation of aphid populations on citrus in Israel, the primary factor being the abundance of tender flush on the host plant.

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