Report of parasitoid wasp, Encarsia perniciosi (Tower) (Hym.: Aphelinidae) from White peach scale, Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targioni-Tozzetti) in Iran

The White peach scale (WPS), Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targioni-Tozzetti) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) is a polyphagous pest that feeds on many plants from 120 genera in 55 families. This survey was carried out in order to identify parasitoids of the WPS, in Mazandaran province. Infested branches of Kiwi trees were cut using gardening scissor. Each branch was placed into disposable cups with 12 cm height and 5 cm width, with wet cotton at the end of the branches. The cups were stored under room temperature until emergence of parasitoids. Among the identified specimens, Encarsia perniciosi (Tower) (Hym.: Aphelinidae) is here recorded for the first time as parasitoids of WPS in Iran.