NATURAL ENEMIES OF PINK WAX SCALE, CEROPLASTES RUBENS MASKELL (HEMIPTERA, COCCIDAE), ON UMBRELLA TREES IN SOUTHEASTERN QUEENSLAND

The natural enemy complex of pink wax scale, Ceroplastes rubens, on um brella trees, Schefflera actinophylla, in southeastern Queensland was investigated. An introduced encyrtid, Anicetus beneficus, was the majo r primary parasitoid, although high rates of hyperparasitisation by th e native encyrtid Coccidoctonus dubius were recorded. Predators and ot her parasitoids were minor components of the natural enemy complex of C. rubens. Implications of this study's findings on the biological con trol of C, rubens in citrus by A. beneficus are discussed.