التسجيل الأول للمتطفل Microterys hortulanus (Hymenoptera : Encyrtidae)‎ على الحشرات القشرية اللينة في سورية

Abstract EN

The study was carried out during the period from April to June 2016 and 2017 in an orchard in the district of Jaba, Quneitra govemorate (Syria), infested with the soft scale Sphorelecanic prunastri (Fonscolombe) (Hemiptera: Coccidae), that attack almond Prunus amygdalus (Dulcis).

Infested branches with the insect were collected and taken to the Biological Control Studies and Research Center (BCSRC).

The collected samples were placed in cages of plexi glass with ventilation holes for two weeks until insect parasites were released and then frozen (-26°C).

This is the first record of Microterys hortulanus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in Syria.

Identification was based on the adult female morphological characteristics, where different parts of the body were separated with a sharp needle and placed on a glass slide using Hoyer solution.

Measurements (^m) for taxonomic characteristics were made by a micrometer using a built in ruler in the ocular lens.

Photomicrographs were taken to illustrate morphological and morphometric characteristics of this species.