DEVELOPMENT OF HABROLEPIS-ROUXI COMPERE (HYMENOPTERA, ENCYRTIDAE) IN 2 ARMORED SCALE HOSTS (HOMOPTERA, DIASPIDIDAE) AND PARASITE EGG ENCAPSULATION BY CALIFORNIA RED SCALE

Abstract. 1. California red scale Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) and oleander scale Aspidiotus nerii Bouché (Homoptera: Diaspididae) are not completely suitable for the development of the encyrtid endoparasite Habrolepis rouxi Compere. 2. Mortality of parasite immatures in California red scale is caused mainly by egg encapsulation. Although oleander scale is unable to encapsulate H. rouxi, it is nutritionally unfavourable for the parasite's development. 3. Some immunity to the parasite is conferred to the oleander scale by the particular host plant used. 4. The parasite's rate of development is not influenced by the host species studied. 5. The mortality of parasite immatures in California red scale is lower than in oleander scale. The former host also is more acceptable and preferred by the parasite for ovipositon. These characteristics of the California red scale render it more suitable than oleander scale as host for H. rouxi. 6. Studies on the encapsulation of H. rouxi eggs by the California red scale indicate that (i) encapsulation does not prevent third instar host larvae from maturing and producing progeny; (ii) neither rearing temperature nor host age affect encapsulation frequency. Copyright © 1979, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved