Survival and development of Lecanium acuminatum Sign. (Coccoidea) on a host plant and artificial diets.
Hafez M., Salama H. S., Saleh M. R.
Author Affiliation: Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Arab Republic of Egypt.
Zeitschrift fur Angewandte Entomologie 69 : 182-186
Abstract : Kilifia (Lecanium) acuminata (Sign.) was observed to develop successfully on young trees of grafted mango but not on seedlings. The duration of each developmental stage and egg production were determined in relation to environmental factors. A method is described for feeding the insects on fluids through a membrane of stretched Parafilm M or rubber. In tests, adults were found to imbibe enough water, sucrose or honey solution to keep them alive longer than unfed adults. Survival on a complex diet of amino acids, vitamins and salts was short in comparison with that on natural food, possibly owing to some specific nutrient deficiency. A study of feeding behaviour led to the conclusion that taste receptors may exist in the food canal of K. acuminata.