<span lang="IN">Parasitoid community structure and ecosystem services for biological control of armored scale insects in tropical citrus agroecosystems

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Armored scale insects (Diaspididae) are important pests of citrus agroecosystems; nevertheless, their natural enemies remain largely undocumented in tropical regions. The study objectives were to characterize parasitoid community structure and evaluate the ecosystem services delivered by parasitoid communities for biological control across tropical citrus agroecosystems.METHODS: Field surveys were conducted for ۲۰ months at eight sites in East Java, Indonesia, along an elevational gradient of ۲۳–۱,۱۸۱ meters above sea level with monthly sampling visits covering both dry and wet seasons. Infested plant materials from fruits, leaves, and branches were collected and reared under controlled conditions for parasitoid emergence. Parasitoid and host species were identified morphologically; community diversity was quantified using Hill numbers; host–parasitoid interactions were analyzed via bipartite network analysis; and biological control potential was assessed through multi-criteria decision analysis.FINDINGS: From ۱,۰۵۰ samples five Aphelinidae parasitoid species were identified parasitizing five Diaspididae host species, comprising a functionally structured community dominated by two generalists (Aphytis melinus and Encarsia perniciosi) and one specialist (E. suzanae), with two additional rare taxa of limited biological control relevance. The overall parasitism rate was ۶.۵۷ percent (۸۳۰ individuals), and the mean number of individuals per parasitized sample was ۱۲.۰۳. Although relatively modest, this rate is characteristic of unmanaged conditions, with substantially higher rates documented in comparable systems under augmentative management. The community diversity was stable across elevation zones and seasons. Bipartite network analysis revealed moderate specialization (H۲' = ۰.۳۵), with ۵۶ percent of potential host–parasitoid links realized. Parasitism differed significantly among plant organs: fruits (۱۱.۱۴ percent) greater than leaves (۷.۴۳ percent) greater than branches (۱.۱۴ percent), indicating that plant organ is a primary determinant of host–parasitoid interaction structure. Multi criteria decision analysis, incorporating six equally weighted criteria, identified A. melinus, E. perniciosi, and E. suzanae as high-priority candidates for augmentative biological control, with rankings confirmed as robust through sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSION: This study presents the first systematic characterization of parasitoid community structure and ecosystem services in tropical citrus agroecosystems. The plant organ was identified as the primary determinant of host–parasitoid interaction structure. These findings offer an evidence-based integrated pest management framework applicable to tropical citrus systems with comparable assemblages.

کلیدواژه ها:

Aphelinidae ، Biodiversity ، Diaspididae ، host-parasitoid networks ، microhabitat partitioning ، Natural enemies.