Biological control of the mullberry scale, Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targion), using synthetic sex pheromone and insecticide sensitivity of its natural enemy paracitoid wasp

1) [In the field monitering of Kagoshima Prefecture] Thomsonisca amathus(=T.typica) was an only parasitoid wasp attracted by the synthetic sex pheromone of Pseudaulacaspis Pentagona and almost 100% of the wasp individuals attracted were female. 2) Seasonal abundance of T.amathus attracted by sex pheromone traps was almost syncronized with that of male mullberry scale. 3) T.amathus showed bimodal curve of daily abundance, with a peak at dawn and with a higher one at dusk. 4) A half of the attracted female wasps had well develeped ovaries, suggesting that they use the sex pheromone as a kairomone in order to find a host scale. 5) Although the synthetic sex pheromone was provided,neither an increase in parasitism rate of the wasp nora mating disruption effect for the scale was observed. 6) The female wasps were highly sensitive to most insecticides we tested except to IGR, BT and bactericides. Thus it is important to select appropriate insecticides in annual pest controlling system in consideration of the natural enemy effect.