Intra- and Interspecific Interactions Between Lysiphlebus testaceipes and Lipolexis scutellaris (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) Reared on Toxoptera citricida (Homoptera: Aphididae)

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Abstract
Classical biological control of the brown citrus aphid Toxoptera citricida Kirkaldy in Florida has involved the release of Lipolexis scutellaris Mackauer. Lysiphlebus testaceipes Cresson is already present in Florida and also parasitizes T. citricida. Because parasitoid–parasitoid interactions may affect the establishment of a newly introduced parasitoid species, intra- and interspecific larval interactions of both parasitoids were studied in the laboratory using T. citricida reared on citrus. Five time intervals were allowed between successive oviposition opportunities. Early developmental times were determined for both parasitoids: eggs of L. testaceipes and L. scutellaris hatched after 54.3 and 61.7 h, while molt to second instar occurred after 73.3 and 87.1 h, respectively, after oviposition at 22°C. At intervals T. citricida, indicating there is no reason to suggest that they cannot coexist in Florida citrus groves.