Life history parameters and scale-cover surface area of Aonidiella aurantii are altered in a mating disruption environment: implications for biological control

BACKGROUND: In recent years, environmentally safe measures to control the California red scale (CRS), Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell), have been successfully implemented. These measures include mating disruption (MD) and biological control. The goal of this study was to examine the effect of high concentrations of the CRS sex pheromone on its life history parameters and scale‐cover surface area under controlled laboratory conditions. RESULTS: The developmental time of both males and females of CRS increased with exposure to airborne pheromone. MD had an effect on both the total number of progeny and on the crawler production period for females. Accordingly, demographic parameters such as net fecundity (R₀) and intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) were significantly lower in the pheromone‐treated populations. The largest scale‐cover surface areas were observed in the CRS reared in the pheromone environment. CONCLUSION: A clear influence of airborne pheromone on the biology of CRS has been demonstrated. In addition to the classical mating disruption benefits of this technique, additional benefits, such as increase in the duration of exposure to natural enemies and increase in size, which benefits some species of parasitoids, have been confirmed. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Mating disruption of California red scale,Aonidiella aurantii Maskell (Homoptera: Diaspididae), using biodegradable mesoporous pheromone dispensers

BACKGROUND: The control of California red scale, Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell), has encountered many difficulties, which has raised interest in alternative control methods. Up to now, the A. aurantii sex pheromone has been used only for monitoring. In a previous work the authors described a biodegradable mesoporous pheromone dispenser for mating disruption. To verify the efficacy of these dispensers, three field trials were conducted, and the results are shown in this paper. RESULTS: The study of the release profile of these dispensers revealed a mean pheromone emission value of 269 µg day^?1 and levels of residual pheromone of 10% at the end of 250 days. During the second flight, an A. aurantii male catch reduction of 98% was achieved in the mating disruption plot of trial 1, 93.5% in trial 2 and 76.7% in trial 3. During the third flight, reductions were 94.1, 82.9 and 68.1% in trials 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Considering damaged fruit with more than five scales, reductions of about 80 and 60% were obtained in the mating disruption plots of trials 2 and 3, respectively, compared with an untreated plot, and a reduction of about 70% in trial 1 compared with an oil‐treated plot. CONCLUSION: Mating disruption has been found to be an efficient technique to control this pest, working equally well to a correctly sprayed oil treatment. Further studies are needed to improve the determination of the time of dispenser application and evaluate the effects of the pheromone on natural enemies. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Influence of pheromone emission on the attraction of California red scale males in citrus orchards

Attraction of California red scale males, Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell), to different release rates of the sex pheromone compound 3-methyl-6-isopropenyl-9-decen-1-yl acetate was evaluated in field trials. This study was aimed to study pheromone emission-response correlations and the existence of an optimum release rate that maximizes trapping efficacy. Release profiles of the pheromone dispensers deployed were determined by gas chromatography to estimate the various emission rates tested. The results reveal that the mean number of A. aurantii males caught correlates with the daily pheromone release rates by means of a quadratic model. The obtained model indicates the existence of a relative maximum of the captures corresponding to an optimum release rate of ca. 300 μg/day. Higher emission rates (up to 1 g/day) resulted in lower captures. Implications for the mating disruption technique are discussed.     

Management strategies of mealybug pests of citrus in mediterranean countries

Six mealybug species have been reported as citrus pests in the Mediterranean Basin: the citrus mealybugPlanococcus citri (Risso), the citriculus mealybugPseudococcus cryptus Hempel, the longtailed mealybugPseudococcus longispinus (Targioni-Tozzetti), the citrophilus mealybugPseudococcus calceolariae (Maskell), the obscure mealybugPseudococcus viburni (Signoret) and the spherical mealybugNipaecoccus viridis (Newstead). Some of these species,e.g. N. viridis, have recently been introduced into the region and are still spreading. Mealybugs are usually occasional or minor pests of citrus, but some species can reach key pest status. Mealybug management strategies in citrus have been based mostly on classical biological control and, to a lesser extent, on augmentative releases. However, chemical control is widely used, mainly because of the poor adaptation of the principal natural enemies to the climatic conditions of the Mediterranean. The application of pheromones is still restricted to monitoring the citrus mealybug, whose sex pheromone is commercially available. Mass trapping and mating disruption should be considered for possible use in IPM programs as an alternative method to supplementary chemical treatments. Enhancement of biological control through management of ant populations is another promising tactic for control of mealybugs. Strategies for managing mealybug pests of citrus, and possible levels of integration of different tactics according to the pest status, are discussed. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Oct. 3, 2004.     

Control of the codling moth (cydia pomonella) in apple and pear orchards in Israel by mating disruption

Control of the codling moth,Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), by pheromone-mediated mating disruption, was studied in Israel using two types of dispensers: Shin-Etsu twist-tie (normal and long-life) and TNO matrix formulation (square wafers). Factors affecting mating disruption: initial pest population density, timing of the pheromone application, early season insecticide treatments and monitoring of the pest, were evaluated. Efficacy of mating disruption was assessed by comparing catch of males in pheromone traps located in pheromone-treated and chemically sprayed control plots. Fruit infestation during the season and at picking time was the major criterion to assess mating disruption. The preferred time for pheromone application was before the first flight of the moth. When pheromones were applied at a later stage, one or two early insecticide sprays had to be used to reduce the initial level of the codling moth population. In all tests, trap catch in pheromone-treated plots was drastically reduced as compared with respective control plots. In pheromone-treated plots where total seasonal trap catch (after pheromone application) was less than 12 males/trap, fruit infestation was less than 1.5%; zero trap catch resulted in 0.1-0.3% infestation. At high population levels, mating disruption was ineffective, with the rate of infestation at picking-time being similar in pheromone-treated and control plots. All the field tests indicated that mating disruption with either Shin-Etsu ropes or TNO squares can control codling moth infestations in apple and pear orchards, at relatively low densities of the pest, as efficiently as commercial insecticide sprays.     

Relative abundance of Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) and its parasitoids,and the impact of augmentative release of Eretmocerus spp. (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) on the population dynamics of the pest in Burkina Faso (West Africa)

Whitefly infestations and parasitism were monitored year-round in overlapping cotton crops sown on three dates in Burkina Faso. The relative abundance of B. tabaci (Gennadius) and its parasitoids, Eretmocerus spp. and Encarsia spp., was recorded in control and insecticide-sprayed plots. Low B. tabaci populations developed during the first half of the rainy season. Pest populations increased when rainfall was ending, and the levels reached were higher in insecticide-treated plots (48 nymphs/leaf) than in control plots (25 nymphs/leaf). Parasitism reached 88.7% in control plots, and 53.7% in insecticide-treated plots. Eretmocerus spp. nymphs were more abundant than Encarsia spp. in both treated and control plots. A positive and significant curvilinear relationship was observed where % parasitism, on a linear scale, rose to a plateau with logarithmic increase in host density. In general % parasitism was correlated with the abundance of pest populations except in March and April where parasitism increased while B. tabaci populations decreased. In a separate experiment, adult Eretmocerus spp. were released into caged cotton plants to study the impact of augmentative releases of the parasites on the population dynamics of the pest. Pest densities increased from 1.47 nymphs/leaf to 39.4 nymphs/leaf in the control, but were reduced to 0.8 and 0.6 nymphs/leaf in the cages where, respectively, 4 and 8 parasitoids were released per plant. It appears that parasitism is an important factor reducing B. tabaci populations during and after the cotton-growing season, and that Eretmocerus spp. are promising biological control candidates against the pest in cotton.     

Plant volatile compounds shorten reaction time and enhance attraction of the codling moth (Cydia pomonella) to codlemone

BACKGROUND: The codling moth is the most serious pest of deciduous tree fruit (apples, pears, crabapples, walnuts, quince) worldwide. The high frequency of insecticide treatments per season has resulted in breakdown of codling moth control owing to insecticide resistance. As an alternative, integrated pest management includes mating disruption to achieve population suppression in orchards. Under this scheme, the sex pheromone of the codling moth, (E, E)‐8,10‐dodecadien‐1‐ol (codlemone), is released from dispensers in crops to hinder mating by luring males. Increasing the attractiveness of codlemone formulations to codling moth males can be regarded as a key to increasing the efficacy of mating disruption. With this aim, the effects of adding plant volatiles on the behavioural responses of codling moth males to codlemone were tested. RESULTS: Adding R(+)‐limonene, linalool, (E)‐β‐farnesene or ethyl (E, Z)‐2,4‐decadienoate to codlemone significantly increases the proportion of males flying to the pheromone source in a wind tunnel. The response level is equivalent to that of males responding to females releasing codlemone. Using real‐time recordings, it is shown how these four plant products also shorten the response time of males to codlemone under the behavioural criteria time to activation, time till upwind flight is induced and time to pheromone source contact. CONCLUSION: Shortening the response time and increasing source location by males of dispensers releasing codlemone with R(+)‐limonene, linalool, (E)‐β‐farnesene or ethyl (E, Z)‐2,4‐decadienoate added would enhance mating disruption through better engagement of males with dispensers, to the detriment of females. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Efficacy of mating disruption technique against carob moth,Apomyelois ceratoniae Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in pomegranate orchards in Southeast Turkey (Şanlıurfa)

Carob moth, Apomyelois (=Ectomyelois) ceratoniae Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is a key pest in pomegranate orchards in Southeast of Turkey. The pest causes significant damage and reduces marketability of fruits, and is difficult to control with insecticides. Therefore, it is imperative to develop environmentally sound effective alternative management approaches. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the mating disruption technique and determine the appropriate application dose for the management of the pest. The study was carried out in Central and Suruç districts of ?anl?urfa province (Turkey) in 2011 and 2012. SPLAT EC (Specialized Pheromone-Lure Application Technology) trade named dispenser containing 2% Z7, E9-11-dodecatrienyl formate pheromone mimic was applied at 500, 625 and 750 g/ha in three pomegranate orchards in each district. Results indicated that mating disruption technique significantly reduced the pest populations. But effectiveness of the method was less in terms of the damage rate on fruits. Pheromone applied at 500 g/ha was not effective. However, application at 625 g/ha reduced the pest populations to an acceptable level. Thus, the concentration could be considered an appropriate dose for the less abundant pest population within integrated pest management while higher population would require combining the mating disruption method with a bio-insecticide.     

Control of the European grapevine moth<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lobesia botrana</Emphasis> in Greece by the mating disruption technique: A three-year survey

During 1996–1998 mating disruption trials were conducted on all three generations of the grapevine mothLobesia botrana Den. et Schiff. (Lep., Tortricidae) in a 25-ha vineyard situated at Spata, Attiki, Greece. Shortly before the beginning of the first flight period ampoule-type pheromone dispensers were set up lining a 6.5-ha rectangular plot. Around the dispenser zone a protection belt was created whereBacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and selective insecticides were applied against the second and third generation larvae. The protection belt was 35 m wide and covered 3.5 ha. The rest of the vineyard was divided into the reference plot — where conventional insecticide treatments were implemented to control both carpophagous pest generations, and the untreated control plot — which measured 1 ha. Male catches within the dispenser zone were virtually zero. Nevertheless, no difference was apparent between the percentage of mated females from within and outside of the dispenser zone. Attractant was released from the dispensers throughout the season at a rather constant rate, but by the middle of the third flight period dispensers were found to be almost empty. During the 3 years of the survey pest pressure was often at exceptionally high levels. The effectiveness of the mating disruption technique (MDT) was found to vary with year and pest generation. MDT was used against the first (anthophagous) generation with rather poor results. In the following carpophagous generations results were comparable to control measures with insecticides used and sometimes slightly better. The density of the pest population in the pheromone-treated vineyard as compared with the untreated control, was reduced on average by 67% in the second and by 57% in the third generation. MDT therefore did not accomplish sufficient crop protection. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Dec. 19, 2003.     

信息素迷向法规模化防治梨小食心虫

梨小食心虫是梨树和桃树上一种重要的蛀食性害虫,为了推动果园害虫的无公害防治,2010年在山东省莱阳市的桃园和梨园应用信息素散发器对梨小食心虫进行了迷向防治研究。在应用信息素散发器的桃园与梨园中,梨小食心虫发生数量明显低于对照园,使用密度增加,梨小食心虫的发生数量降低,迷向率增加。每公顷施用信息素散发器450、900、1350根的桃园,对梨小食心虫的迷向率分别为67.80%、80.14%、89.29%,而梨园中对梨小食心虫的迷向率分别为84.17%、93.41%、98.17%。桃园与梨园施用信息素散发器后,梨小食心虫的蛀果率明显低于对照园,桃园与梨园对梨小食心虫的防治效果分别在40.34%～73.57%和54.24%～92.38%之间。研究表明,梨园中信息素散发器对梨小食心虫的防治效果高于桃园。     

高浓度性信息素和杀虫剂胁迫下梨小食心虫种群特征和为害

为了明确高浓度性信息素和杀虫剂胁迫对梨小食心虫的种群特征与为害的影响，2019—2020年连续2年在山西省运城市梨园内测定了性信息素迷向、杀虫剂等不同处理条件下，梨小食心虫种群数量、交配率以及蛀果率的动态变化。结果表明：2年内迷向防治区、迷向＋杀虫剂防治区、杀虫剂防治区与空白对照区内梨小食心虫种群发生动态基本一致，但各处理区梨小食心虫种群数量逐年递减；其中，迷向＋杀虫剂防治区梨小食心虫种群总量显著低于其他防控区，单个诱捕器诱蛾量分别为98.20头和67.20头；同时，迷向防治区和迷向＋杀虫剂防治区，梨小食心虫的交配率和蛀果率也显著降低。综上所述，性信息素迷向和杀虫剂结合能更好地压低梨园梨小食心虫种群数量，降低其交配率和为害。研究结果为进一步提升梨小食心虫性信息素迷向防治效果提供了科学依据。     

Evaluating sex-pheromone- and kairomone-based lures for attracting codling moth adults in mating disruption versus conventionally managed apple orchards in Pennsylvania

BACKGROUND: Effectiveness of different types of commercial sex‐pheromone‐ and kairomone‐based lures for attracting codling moth adults may vary under different pest management practices. The attractiveness of four types of codling moth (CM) lures (CM L2 Long‐Life^®, CM 10X Megalure^®, Pherocon CM DA^® and Pherocon CM‐DA Combo^®) was evaluated in commercial apple orchards either treated with sex pheromone mating disruption (MD) or only conventional insecticides (non‐MD) in Adams County, Pennsylvania, in 2006 and 2007. RESULTS: CM DA Combo lure was most effective in terms of mean seasonal weekly moth capture as well as mean cumulative moth capture in MD orchards. In both years, the CM L2 lure was as attractive to adult moths as the CM DA Combo lure in non‐MD orchards. The CM DA and CM 10X lures caught significantly fewer moths in both MD and non‐MD orchards compared with the CM DA Combo lure. CONCLUSIONS: ON the basis of mean seasonal weekly moth capture as well as mean cumulative moth capture, the CM DA Combo and CM L2 lures were found to be significantly more effective for monitoring CM adults in both MD and non‐MD orchards. In contrast, the CM DA and CM 10X lures were not as effective in either type of orchard. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Studies on the development of a mating disruption system to control the tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta Povolny (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

BACKGROUND: The tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta Povolny) has rapidly colonised the whole Mediterranean and South‐Atlantic coasts of Spain, and it has become a key problem in both outdoor and greenhouse crops. New control methods compatible with biological control are required, and mating disruption appears to be a perfect method in current agriculture, as it is an environmentally friendly and residue‐free technique. IPM packages tested have included the use of pheromones to detect populations, but there has not been much previous research on mating disruption of T. absoluta. In this work, pheromone doses varying from 10 to 40 g ha^?1, emitted at a constant rate over 4 months, were tested in greenhouses with different levels of containment in order to evaluate the efficacy of mating disruption on T. absoluta. RESULTS: Trials on containment level revealed that the flight of T. absoluta was satisfactorily disrupted with an initial pheromone dose of 30 g ha^?1, and levels of damage did not significantly differ from those in reference plots with insecticide treatments. Later efficacy trials confirmed previous experiences, and release studies showed that control of damage and flight disruption were taking place when releasing at least 85 mg pheromone per ha per day. CONCLUSION: Effective control using pheromone application against T. absoluta can be achieved, in greenhouses with high containment levels, for 4 months, with initial doses of 30 g ha^?1. Further research must be conducted in order to evaluate the prospect of outdoor application of mating disruption systems. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

The use of synthetic sex pheromones for pest management in stored-product situations

In spite of the obvious advantages of storage systems for pheromone use, few attempts have been made to investigate the practical effectiveness of pheromones in such systems. The sex pheromone complex of Ephestia cautella (Walker) is described, and the possible natural functions of the components are suggested. Trials with the synthetic pheromones show that mating frequency of the moth can be reduced by slow release of the materials in a warehouse. The prospects for the use of pheromones in pest management in stores are discussed.     

Contribution of Biological Control to Integrated Pest Management of Tephritid Fruit Flies in the Tropics and Subtropics

The biological control of pest tephritid flies using parasitoids has been successful in relatively few subtropical and tropical regions. The best documented successes were in Hawaii and Florida, USA, Fiji and southern Europe. There were relatively limited successes in Australia, Costa Rica and Mexico. With the accidental establishment of new pest tephritids, such as Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel) in Hawaii or Bactrocera papayae Drew and Hancock in Australia, foreign exploration for new parasitoids is essential. A renewal of interest in classical biological control has recently occurred, although not at the same level as in the 1940s and 1950s. New parasitoid species are currently being obtained for several tephritids, such as Ceratitis capitata (Weidemann), B. latifrons and Anastrepha suspensa (Loew). The advances in mass rearing and quality control technology for parasitoids has enabled researchers to perform large-scale field testing of these parasitoids to determine the potential of augmentative releases. Numerous studies on the augmentative release of parasitoids have been done. Historically, the larval—pupal parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) has been the most frequently studied parasitoid, due to the ease of rearing this species. However, recent successes in rearing other species with different biologies, e.g. the egg—pupal parasitoid Biosteres arisanus (Sonan), the gregarious eulophid, Tetrastichus giffardianus (Silvestri) and the pupal parasitoid, Coptera sp., will enable researchers to broaden the repertoire of parasitoid species for the future. Both successes and failures in augmentative releases have occurred. Without knowledge of the behavioural ecology of parasitoids, the reasons for success or failure can only be surmised. Recent research on the dispersal and host habitat finding of tephritid parasitoids will provide insights into improving augmentation and conservation strategies. The integrated pest management (IPM) of tephritid flies in the tropics has been less well-developed than research and programmes for tephritids in temperate zones. Significant emphasis is now being placed on the development of quarantine treatment methods that are environmentally sound; thus IPM will take a larger role. Several existing pest management strategies are reviewed which show the potential for compatibility with the activities of tephritid parasitoids. These include trap cropping, insecticides with selective toxicity to the target pests, mass trapping with parapheromones, the sterile insect technique and field sanitation.     

Development of single-dispenser pheromone suppression of Epiphyas postvittana, Planotortrix octo and Ctenopseustis obliquana in New Zealand stone fruit orchards

BACKGROUND: Pheromones of two native leafrollers of economic importance to the New Zealand horticulture industry, Planotortrix octo [(Z)‐8‐tetradecenyl acetate and tetradecyl acetate] and Ctenopseustis obliquana [(Z)‐5‐tetradecenyl acetate and (Z)‐8‐tetradecenyl acetate], were reinvestigated and combined with pheromone of Epiphyas postvittana [light‐brown apple moth, (E)‐11‐tetradecenyl actetate and (E, E)‐9,11‐tetradecen‐1‐yl acetate] to develop a single dispenser for mating disruption of three pest species for integrated pest management. RESULTS: Additional compounds identified from pheromone gland extracts were characterised as repellents for P. octo. However, for C. obliquana from Central Otago, a change in ratio of (Z)‐5‐tetradecenyl acetate and (Z)‐8‐tetradecenyl acetate and the addition of three compounds found in the gland (dodecyl acetate, tetradecyl acetate and hexadecanal) led to a significant improvement in catch over previous lures. Males from Central Otago showed antennal electrophysiological responses to hexadecanal, unlike C. obliquana from Auckland, which did not. Three multiple‐species disruption blends were devised in a single dispenser to target E. postvittana, P. octo and C. obliquana. Disruption of traps was recorded in single‐tree replicates with all three blends, but the five‐component blend was overall most effective at disruption and was deployed area wide in commercial orchard plots. CONCLUSIONS: Deployment of single dispensers into commercial stone fruit orchards led to disruption of trapping for the three species and measurable reductions in insecticide use in cherries, peaches and nectarines without increased fruit damage (assessed in apricots). Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Mobile mating disruption of light-brown apple moths using pheromone-treated sterile Mediterranean fruit flies

BACKGROUND: Public opposition to aerial application of sex pheromone for mating disruption of light‐brown apple moth (LBAM), Epiphyas postvittana (Walk.), in California stopped its further use in the ca $ 74 million eradication programme in 2008, underscoring the need for other eradication tactics. It is demonstrated that pheromone‐treated sterile Mediterranean fruit flies (medflies), Ceratitis capitata Wied., can disrupt communication in male moths. RESULTS: Medflies topically dosed with moth pheromone (E)‐11‐tetradecenyl acetate showed a no observed effect level (NOEL) of ～10 µg fly^?1, with increasing toxicity from 30 to 100 µg fly^?1. Greater potency and longevity of attraction and lower mortality were achieved using microencapsulated pheromone. Releases of 1000 pheromone‐treated medflies ha^?1 prevented male moth catch to synthetic lures in treated 4 ha plots for 1 day in suburban Perth, Australia. Releases of ca 3000 pheromone‐treated medflies ha^?1 disrupted catch to single female moths in delta traps, and to synthetic pheromone lures. Percentage disruption on the first four nights was 95, 91, 82 and 85%. CONCLUSIONS: Disruption of moth catch using pheromone‐treated medflies is a novel development that, with future improvement, might provide a socially acceptable approach for application of the insect mating disruption technique to control invasive insects in urban environments. Adequacy of payload and other issues require resolution. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of application rate and interval on the efficacy of sprayable pheromone for mating disruption of the oriental fruit mothGrapholita molesta

The efficacy of microencapsulated sprayable pheromone was evaluated at different application rates and intervals for mating disruption of the oriental fruit moth,Grapholita molesta (Busck), in apple orchards during 2002. The following treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications: (i) a low rate of pheromone (6.2 g a.i. ha⁻¹) applied at 14-day intervals, (ii) a medium rate of pheromone (12.4 g a.i. ha⁻¹) applied at 28-day intervals, (iii) a high rate of pheromone (24.7 g a.i. ha⁻¹) applied at 28- day intervals, and (iv) a non-pheromone control (insecticides only). The combination of a single insecticide application against first generationG. molesta at petal fall with one pheromone application each for the second, third and fourth generations at 12.4–24.7 g a.i. ha⁻¹ successfully controlled low populations. Pheromone-treated blocks. had significantly lower trap catches than those in the insecticide-treated control blocks. Among pheromone treatments, significantly more moths were caught in the 6.2 g compared with the 12.4 and 24.7 g rates. Fruit damage was <1% at harvest and there were no significant differences among treatments. Low rate frequent applications of sprayable formulation appeared to be effective under low pest pressure but efficacy declined with increasing populations. Further studies are needed to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach under higher pest pressure. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting July 13, 2005.     

Studies on morphology and biology of immature stages of the predator Rhyzobius lophanthae Blaisdell (Col.: Coccinellidae)

Morphological characteristics of immature developmental stages of Rhyzobius lophanthae Blaisdell (Col.: Coccinellidae), predator of scale insects of the family Diaspididae (Homoptera), are described. Data about the morphology of eggs, the four larval instars, and the pupa is presented. Larval instars are described in more detail: size of head capsule, length of tibia, distribution of dorsal and lateral setae of abdomen segments for each larval instar is reported. Distribution of spiracles is also given. Study on the biology concerns the influence of prey on the duration of instar periods. The diaspidids Aspidiotus nerii and Aonidiella aurantii were used as food. The mean duration of the developmental period from egg to adult was 27.1 days, and no mortality was observed (0%) when A. nerii was used as prey. The respective numbers when the prey was A. aurantii were 48.8 days and 84%.     

Studies on morphology and biology of immature stages of the predator Rhyzobius lophanthae Blaisdell (Col.: Coccinellidae)

Morphological characteristics of immature developmental stages of Rhyzobius lophanthae Blaisdell (Col.: Coccinellidae), predator of scale insects of the family Diaspididae (Homoptera), are described. Data about the morphology of eggs, the four larval instars, and the pupa is presented. Larval instars are described in more detail: size of head capsule, length of tibia, distribution of dorsal and lateral setae of abdomen segments for each larval instar is reported. Distribution of spiracles is also given. Study on the biology concerns the influence of prey on the duration of instar periods. The diaspidids Aspidiotus nerii and Aonidiella aurantii were used as food. The mean duration of the developmental period from egg to adult was 27.1 days, and no mortality was observed (0%) when A. nerii was used as prey. The respective numbers when the prey was A. aurantii were 48.8 days and 84%.