Dysmicoccus alazon (Homoptera: Coccoidea) a pest of banana: II. Biology and control (provisional report).
Pérez G., Carnero A., Barquín J.
Author Affiliation: Unidad de Protección Vegetal, CRIDA-11 (Canarias), INIA, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands.
Anales de Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agrarias, Agrícola : 113-135
Abstract : In laboratory studies on the biology and reproduction of Dysmicoccus alazon, an important pest of bananas in the Canary Islands, females completed their development from egg to adult in 42-46 days at about 26°C and 60% RH and it is concluded that 8 generations could develop in a year, since development is continuous. The females passed through 3 larval instars and the males 4. Pairing occurred soon after the females reached the adult stage and the males emerged from the puparium. There was a preoviposition period of 4 days. Males died 1-2 days after pairing; those that did not pair survived for 3-4 days. Females laid 200-350 eggs each. D. alazon has been observed on the following plants in the Canary islands (in addition to banana): castor, Opuntia ficus-indica, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, oleander (Nerium oleander), fig, passionfruit, mango and avocado. No natural enemies were observed. The advisability of an integrated control approach is stressed.