| Popis: |
This chapter reviews several biological control efforts against pests of seven commercially important crops, particularly those in which there has been substantial biological control activity over the years. These crops include citrus, olive, avocado, tea, coffee, coconut, and banana. California red scale is probably the most important citrus pest in the world. It is less widely distributed than the purple scale but causes greater damage and is more difficult to control. A polyphagous species of oriental origin, Florida red scale is scattered throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of North, Central, and South America; the Mediterranean Basin; South Africa; Australia; Asia; and the Pacific Islands. The rufous or West Indies scale is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Its status as a major pest is, however, generally restricted to citrus in the West Indies and northern South America. The black scale, a highly polyphagous, cosmopolitan species, is of economic importance mainly on citrus and olive. Many species of phytophagous mites infest citrus throughout the world. The families that have pest species include Tetranychidae, Tenuipalpidae, Tarsonemidae, and Eriophyidae. |
