TAXONOMIC STUDIES OF THE GENUS APHYTIS HOWARD (HYMENOPTERA : APHELINIDAE) AND ITS ROLE IN CONTROLLING THE SCALE INSECTS (HOMOPTERA-COCCOIDEA : DIASPIDIDAE) IN EGYPT

Abstract

1. Taxonomic Studies: 1.1. Hosts and Distribution of genus Apltytis in Egypt:

Samples of Aphytis species collected were associated with 26 armored scale insects on 20 host plants in 19 governorates in Egypt. The present work showed that A. lingnanensis to be the most effective species of genus Aphytis, followed by A. diaspidis and A. mytilaspidis. A. lingnanensis was collected from 11 species of armored scale insects on 6 plant hosts distributed over 4 governorates; A. diaspidis was collected from 6 species of armored scale insects found on 6 plant hosts distributed over 7 governorates and A. mytilaspidis was collected from 6 species of armored scale insects on 5 plant hosts found in 5 governorates. governorate. The remaining Aphytis species were each associated with one species of armored scale insect on 1 to 2 plant hosts, in 1 to 2 governorates. A. chilensis is associated with 4 species of armored .scale insects on 5 host plants found in 5 governorates. A. africanus, A. aonidiae, A. hispanicus and A, melinus are a_ssociated with 2 to 3 species of armored scale insects each. A. africanus and its host insects were collected from 5 host plant species in 5 governorates, A. aonidiae and its host insects were found on 3 plant hosts distributed over 3 governorates, A. hispanicus and its host insects were collected from 4 host plant species in 4 governorates and A. melinus and its hqst insects were found on 2 plant hostin only 1. 1.2. Taxonomy: In the present work, 18 species of the genus Aphytis Howard were collected, identified, described, and illustrated.