SEASONAL-VARIATIONS IN THE ENCAPSULATION OF EGGS OF THE ENCYRTID PARASITOID METAPHYCUS-STANLEYI BY THE PYRIFORM SCALE, PROTOPULVINARIA-PYRIFORMIS

Encapsulation of eggs of the introduced parasitoid Metaphycus stanleyi Compere (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) by the pyriform scale, Protopulvinaria pyriformis (Cockerell) (Homoptera: Coccidae) under both greenhouse and field conditions, at Bet Dagan, was found to occur almost all year round (1986-1988). However, encapsulation rates varied considerably during the different seasons and were correlated with the ambient temperatures. The rates of efficient encapsulation (i) in scales infesting Hedera helix and Schefflera arboricola under greenhouse conditions, were lowest during December to May (6-17%) and highest during July to September (78-100%); (ii) in scales infesting avocado in the orchard, were lowest during October to May (0-11%) and highest during June to August (54-57%). Under greenhouse conditions, encapsulation rates did not differ in scales grown on H. helix and on S. arboricola, but were significantly lower in scales grown on avocado. Encapsulation by scales infesting S. arboricola was more frequent at temperatures ranging from 20-28-degrees-C, than from 7-23-degrees-C. The increased resistance by encapsulation of P. pyriformis to successful parasitization by M. stanleyi during the summer, may account for the inability of the parasitoid to prevent the autumn and winter outbreaks of the pest.