First Record of the Predators Scymnus saturalis and Hyperaspis trifurcata on Dactylopius opuntiae in Cactus Fields in Syria

Assad, F., Z. Chikh-Khamis and M. Bufaur. 2024. First Record of the Predators Scymnus saturalis and Hyperaspis trifurcata on Dactylopius opuntiae in Cactus Fields in Syria. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 42(1): 102-107. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001211 A survey was carried out to identify the natural enemies associated with the Opuntia cochineal Scale Dactylopius opuntiae during 2020 and 2021 growing seasons in several cactus orchards of Rif-Damascus Governorate, Syria. Two Coccinellid beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Scymnus saturalis (Thunberg) and Hyperaspis trifurcata (Schaeffer) were identified for the first time on D. opuntiae in cactus fields in Syria. The species were classified based on morphological features. The predator S. saturalis was in a few numbers in both seasons, whereas the predator H. trifurcate which was rare in the 2020 season had increased abundantly in the 2021 season. The predator H. trifurcate was feeding on adults and nymphs of D. opuntiae. Further studies on the potential of the two newly identified predators are still needed. Keywords: First record, Dactylopius opuntiae, Scymnus saturalis, Hyperaspis trifurcata, Natural enemies, Opuntia cochineal scale.