SELF-WATERING ACRYLIC CAGES FOR CONFINING INSECTS AND MITES ON DETACHED LEAVES

Cages made with three 7.3 x 9.8-cm acrylic plastic plates were used to confine the citrus red mite, Panonychus citri (McGregor); citrus thrips, Scirtothrips citri (Moulton); and the California red scale, Aonidlella aurantii (Maskell), on excised citrus leaves. A rubber band compressed between the upper surface of the leaf and the center plate prevented the insects'' escape around the area of the midrib and other uneven surfaces, and a watering platform kept the entire undersurface of the leaf saturated. Mature leaves remained in a condition suitable for phytophagous forms up to 4 weeks; young tender leaves could be held for 2 weeks.