[Edited_by_A._Ciancio,_C.N.R.,_Bari,_Italy_and_K.(Bookos.org)

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BIOLOGICAL CONTROL IN CITRUS IN SPAIN: FROM
CLASSICAL TO CONSERVATION BIOLOGICAL
CONTROL
JOSEP ANTON JACAS 1 AND ALBERTO URBANEJA 2
1 Universitat Jaume I (UJI), Unitat Associada d’Entomologia Agrícola
UJI-IVIA, E-12071 Castelló de la Plana, Spain
2 Institut Valencià d’Investigacions Agràries (IVIA), Unitat Associada
d’Entomologia Agrícola UJI-IVIA, E-46113 Montcada, Spain
Abstract. The status of citrus pest management in Spain and of biological control, including classical
biological control strategies, is reviewed. The augmentative versus inoculation-based control, and the use
of invertebrate biological control agents in citrus orchards and nurseries are described. Fortuitous and
conservation biocontrol strategies, as well as exploitation of resident species, either native or naturalized,
are discussed. Pesticide side-effect testing on natural enemies, presence of alternative hosts and use of
banker plants are described, together with ground cover mangement strategies.
1. INTRODUCTION
Spain is one of the largest producers of citrus for the fresh market worldwide
(5,129,110 Mg in 2004; MAPA, 2007), mainly oranges, mandarins and lemons.
Many potential pests are kept under excellent or satisfactory natural control by either
exotic or indigenous natural enemies [e.g. Panonychus citri (McGregor) (Acari:
Tetranychidae) by Euseius stipulatus (Athias-Henriot) (Acari: Phytoseiidae)] (Table
1). Exotic biological control (BC) agents were imported during the last century into
Spain following classical (= inoculative) BC programs and are now naturalized in
our country [e.g. Rodolia cardinalis (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)] (Table
2). However, the fact that most of Spanish citrus production goes to the fresh market
(84.1%; MAPA, 2007) has important consequences on the status of some citrus
pests which directly damage the fruit. Because these species are subjected to
cosmetic thresholds, which are commonly very low (Hare, 1994), BC is considered
A. Ciancio, K.G. Mukerji (eds.), Integrated Management of Arthropod Pests
and Insect Borne Diseases, Integrated Management of Plant Pests and Diseases 5,
DOI 10.1007/978-90-481-8606-8_3, © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010
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