Survey of Natural Enemies of Fig Wax Scale Ceroplastes rusci L. (Homoptera: Coccidae) and Seasonal Abundance of the Parasitoid Scutellista caerulea Fonscolombe (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) in Jordan

The parasitic and predatory complex of fig wax scale (FWS), Ceroplastes rusci L. (Homoptera: Coccidae), was surveyed in Jordan during two years (2006-2007). 100 FWS infested samples from five plant species (fig, wild fig, oleander, poplar and mistletoe) from 43 different locations were sampled. Five parasitoids belonging to four families of Hymenoptera were reared from the FWS. Scutellista caerulea Fonscolombe (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) was the most abundant parasitoid. It was collected form 91% of the surveyed locations. The predators belong to Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Neuroptera, Thysanoptera and Acari. The seasonal trend of Scutellista caerulea was also studied at two sites