The biological control applied in Citrus orchards against harmful exotic pests in Sicily (Italy)

Abstract

The citrus groves are injured by infestations caused by indigenous species or old and new phytophagous introduced. Several problems have found in the biological control a optimal solution that allowed a considerable reduction in the use of chemical products. In fact, applications of programs using biological methods has been more successful on citrus than in any other cropping system. Sicily (Italy), due to its location in the Mediterranean Sea, represents an island particularly rich flora and fauna with a characteristic biodiversity different from those of other countries and regions of Italy. It produces about 60% of the national citrus production with more areas of organic citrus groves. In Sicily, many of the exotic pests have been object of classical biological control programs with importation of natural enemies from the countries of origin of the phytophagous insects and the majority of them achieved good results. In this paper we reported main successful cases of biological control against old and new exotic pests in Sicily with some details on their biology and natural enemies. Particular reference were made to three species of recent introduction in this region, Parabemisia myricae, Phyllocnistis citrella and Metcalfa pruinosa.