Oviposition by Comperiella lemniscata Compere and Annecke (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in Aonidiella orientalis (Newstead) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae)

Abstract

Both sexes of oriental scale, Aonidiella orientalis, were exposed to the parasitoid Comperiella lemniscata at the beginning of the first, second and third female instars. The parasitoid successfully oviposited and developed in second- and third-instar female scales, but male scales were used as hosts only in their second instar and at low levels. When given a choice, C. lemniscata oviposited only in third-instar female scales.