Australian Journal of Entomology (2003) 42, 271-275
George J. Stathas, Nickolas G. Kavallieratos and Panagiotis A. Eliopoulos (2003)
Biological and ecological aspects of Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis Del Guercio (Hemiptera: Coccidae): a two-year study from Central Greece
Australian Journal of Entomology 42 (3), 271-275
Abstract: Biological and ecological aspects of the scale Ceroplastes sinensis are investigated on citrus in central Greece through regular samplings during 1999-2001 on Citrus sinensis (Sapindales: Rutaceae) in Attiki County. The scale was univoltine. Overwintering stages were the third-instar nymph and the adult female. From the end of May until the end of June the population comprised preovipositing females. Oviposition occurred from mid-June until mid-July and hatching took place during July. First- and second-instar nymphs were recorded from the end of July until the end of August, and from mid-August until the end of September, respectively. Third-instar nymphs appeared at the end of August and were present until the beginning of September. Some of the population of third-instar nymphs reached the adult stage during October and November, whilst the remainder completed development in the following April. Small numbers of male nymphs were recorded during October and November. The mean fecundity of adult females was 3260 ± 770 eggs per female. The most abundant natural enemy of C. sinensis was Scutellista caerulea (Fonscolombe) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), whose eggs, larvae and pupae were found in up to 42% of the total live population of the scale. Two predators, Chilocorus bipustulatus (L.) and Exochomus quadripustulatus (L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), were also observed.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Nickolas G. Kavallieratos, Panagiotis A. Eliopoulos
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
population dynamics/ epidemiology
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
surveys/distribution/isolation
Pest and/or beneficial records:
| Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceroplastes sinensis | Citrus (genus) | Greece | ||
| Scutellista caerulea (parasitoid) | Ceroplastes sinensis | Citrus (genus) | Greece | |
| Brumus quadripustulatus (predator) | Ceroplastes sinensis | Citrus (genus) | Greece | |
| Chilocorus bipustulatus (predator) | Ceroplastes sinensis | Citrus (genus) | Greece |
