Difference in the Abundance of Scale Insect Parasitoids among Four Cardinal Directions

Abstract

Summary We conducted a study to assess the potential differences in the abundances of hymenopteran parasitoids among cardinal directions. Experiments were conducted on scale insect-infested willow oak trees in the urban landscapes of South Carolina and Virginia. The parasitoids captured on yellow sticky cards deployed at the cardinal directions of the trees were identified and counted. We found that there were no significant differences in scale insect and parasitoid abundances among cardinal directions, and parasitoid abundances were weakly correlated with scale insect densities. The results suggest that 1 yellow sticky card could be deployed per tree, regardless of tree quadrant, to sufficiently sample for parasitoid abundance.