Exploring the biodiversity of aphid communities and their natural enemies in citrus orchards in the north-west of Algeria

angleški

2026

letnik 122, številka 2

agroekosistem   Alžirija   biološki nadzor   citrusi   listne uši   parazitoidi   plenilci

Univerza v Ljubljani, Biotehniška fakulteta
(Obvezni izvod spletne publikacije)

Citrus production in Algeria is threatened by aphid infestations, which damage plants directly and transmit Citrus Tristeza Virus (CTV). Although chemical pesticides remain the dominant control approach, their environmental and health impacts underscore the urgency of developing sustainable pest management alternatives. To support sustainable pest management, this study assessed aphid communities and their natural enemies in citrus orchards of northwestern Algeria (Chlef) from September 2023 to August 2024. A total of 8347 aphids belonging to six species were recorded, dominated by Aphis spiraecola and Aphis gossypii. In parallel, 1956 natural enemies were identified, including 15 predator species and four parasitoid species. Predators represented 60.1 % of the community, mainly hoverflies, whereas parasitoids (39.9 %) were dominated by Lysiphlebus testaceipes. Aphid populations peaked during spring and early summer under favorable climatic conditions. Surveys of surrounding vegetation showed that aphids persist on nearby crops and wild plants, highlighting the role of the agroecosystem in maintaining populations. Overall, the results confirm the important potential of predators and parasitoids in the biological control of citrus aphids.

25.09.2026