Master’s Discussion
College of Science for Women / University of Baghdad examined the thesis/ dissertation entitled (Ecological study and evaluation of the parasitic efficiency of Aphytis melinus against the oriental yellow scale insect Aonidiella orientalis) for the student (Alaa Abdel Sattar Khamas) as Requirements for the Degree of Master in Biology / Ecology Supervised by Asst. Prof. Dr. Maysoon Hassan Meshjel.
The thesis aims to identify and diagnose the parasitoid Aphytis melinus on the yellow scale insect Aonidiella orientalis at the species level in citrus orchards using both morphological and molecular characterization, representing the first record in the Iraqi environment. It also seeks to investigate the effect of different environmental factors (temperature and humidity) under laboratory conditions on the efficiency of A. melinus in biological control, as well as to evaluate the parasitoid’s biocontrol potential in reducing pest population densities
The thesis also included an evaluation of the parasitoid A. melinus in reducing the population of the yellow scale insect A. orientalis under laboratory conditions, as well as the potential integration to use the A. melinus into integrated pest management programs to local agricultural environments.
The thesis recommended adopting A. melinus as an effective biological control agent against the yellow scale insect A. orientalis in citrus orchards under Iraqi environment conditions and integrating it into IPM programs. It also emphasized the need for further studies on effect of the environmental factors such as wind and light to the parasitoid, and conservation of native parasitoid species of agricultural importance, and the reassessment of chemical control strategies to reduce their negative impact on natural enemies. Moreover, it highlighted the importance of adopt certain agricultural practices that enhance the success of biological control.
Distinction
