Abstract
Frequency of parasitoids and predators of Diaphorina citri was recorded during the morning and afternoon hours by observing activity and presence of natural enemies on a D. citri-infested orange jasmine (Murraya paniculata) hedges located in Homestead. The most common natural enemies during these observations were the predators Zelus longipes (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), Allograpta obliqua (Diptera: Syrphidae), Cicloneda sanguinea, Harmonia axyridides (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), and Eriophora ravilla (Aranea: Araneidae). A survey for predators and parasitoids of D. citri was conducted from Nov. 2005 through May 2006 on limes (Citrus aurantifolia) and on orange jasmine in Homestead, Miami–Dade County. Percentage parasitism from Tamarixia radiata fluctuated between 0.85% and 7.74% for 2nd to 5th instar D. citri. The most common predators were syrphids and coccinellids. A re-validation of predator frequency was conducted from Mar. to Apr. 2007. At this time, reduviids, coccinellids and syrphids were the most common predators observed on M. paniculata. Orange jasmine could be acting as a constant and important surrogate reservoir of D. citri. Our surveys show a pattern of predator interference with parasitoids of D. citri. The role of alternant host plants and the interaction with natural enemies needs to be studied more thoroughly.
