Resumen de The pool of coccinellids (coleoptera:coccinellidae) to coccids (homoptera: coccoidea) in portuguese citrus groves
Integrated Pest Management programmes in Portugal pay main attention to coccids. The study of coccinellids for the biological control of those pests was undertaken. This paper aimed firstly to determine which coccidophagous ladybirds are more likely to control coccids by examining Dominance, Constancy and Persistence along the year. A second goal was to shed some light on the feeding regime of several species of the Scymnini tribe. Eight coccidophagous ladybirds have been observed to have a strong presence in Portuguese citrus groves. They correspond to species regularly considered as important for the biological control of coccids in other Mediterranean countries. Five species of the Scymnus genus are also very important in the sampled orchards. Though usually considered as aphidophagous, their abundance is correlated to the appearance of coccinellids which are predators of coccids. A first large scale phenology of the most important ladybird beetles in citrus orchards is provided which can he1p to schedule chemical interventions.
