Population development of Aphytis melinus DeBach in citrus plots used cover plant

This study was carried out in a citrus orchard (Meyer limon) in two plots using cover crops (Vicia sativa, common vetch) and standard region farmers' practice (chemical), the main pest of citrus fruits, Aonidiella aurantii Maskell (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) and its parasitoid Aphytis melinus DeBach. (Hymenoptera: Aphenelinidae) population was followed, and the contribution of the use of cover crops to the population development of the parasitoid and pest was tried to be determined. In the results of working; It was determined that the population of A. aurantii was lower in the vetch application plot than in the farmer application plot, and accordingly, the density of Aphytis melinus was also low. Apart from Aphytis melinus, the other predators of A. aurantii, Chilocorus bipustulatus L., Rhyzobius lophanthae Blaisdell (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and its parasitoid Comperiella bifasciata Howard (Hymenoptera; Encrytidae) were detected in the lemon plot where the cover plant was used. Among these natural enemies, it has been determined that the population of C. bifasciata is quite remarkable. When the one-year data were evaluated, it was concluded that the use of cover crops positively affected the natural enemy activity and contributed to insect biodiversity.