Myartseva, S.N., Ruíz Cancino, E., & Coronado-Blanco, J.M. 2003 Parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) of Saissetia spp. (Homoptera: Coccidae) in Mexico.. Fruits 59: 141-150.
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Notes: The genus Saissetia has 47 described species in the world, four of them in Mexico (S. oleae, S. miranda, S. neglecta and S. tolucana). These species attack different crops, including citrus, olives and ornamentals. Most introductions of natural enemies against S. oleae have been undertaken in North and South America, Australia and the Mediterranean countries. However, no natural enemy species have been purposely introduced into Mexico against Saissetia spp. During 1998-2003, samples of Saissetia spp. were collected in the States of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Oaxaca and Guanajuato; all the emerged parasitoids were determined. Appropriate scientific publications were consulted to find out about any other Saissetia parasitoids recorded from Mexico. Seventeen parasitoid species from five families of Chalcidoidea (Aphelinidae, Encyrtidae, Eupelmidae, Pteromalidae and Signiphoridae) were reared from Saissetia spp. in Mexico. In Mexico, the species of Saissetia prefer ornamental plants and are usually heavily parasitized by several chalcidoids. Native biological control of Saissetia spp. by different parasitoids has been effective for many years in Mexico. As a result, the species of Saissetia are not considered as primary or secondary pests of citrus and ornamentals.
