ABSTRACT
The natural enemies of Bemisia tabaci include predatory arthropods and parasitoids besides a few records of entomophagous fungi. Unlike parasitoids, predators 'require the consumption of more than one individual in order to reach the adult stage'. The taxonomic composition of predator fauna of six relatively well-studied whitefly species including B. tabaci, was analysed by D. Gerling. All true records of parasitoids attacking B. tabaci belong to two genus groups, namely, Encarsia and Eretmocerus, under family Aphelinidae in superfamily Chalcidoidea. The authenticity of host range of each species depends on correct identification of the parasitoid and host involved. Unfortunately, specific determination of Encarsia and Eretmocerus, the two major genera of whitefly parasitoids, is uncertain. Parasitisation of nearly mature hosts would understandably require prompt interference with the host maturation and moulting processes. Studies on host-parasitoid dynamics are few arid have been mostly carried out in Egypt, Israel and Jordan with En. lutea and Er. mundus.
