De Marzo, L. 2001 [A description of Nephus bisignatus (Boheman) larvae (Coleoptera Coccinellidae) feeding on Planococcus vovae (Nassonov) (Rhynchota Coccoidea Pseudococcidae) in Southern Italy.]. Entomologica 35: 181-187.

Notes: [Original title: Descrizione delle larve di Nephus bisignatus (Boheman) (Coleoptera Coccinellidae) reperite su Planococcus vovae (Nassonov) (Rhynchota Coccoidea Pseudococcidae) in Sud Italia.] In August, ten larvae of the coccinellid Nephus bisignatus were found on branches of cypress in a locality near Bari; they evidently fed on colonies of the scale insect Planococcus vovae. Main features of these larvae are: (a) enlarged body shape in the last instar; (b) antennae lacking in one segment, when compared with those of the Scymnus larvae known from the literature; (c) absence of haemorrhage pores; (d) three instars only, as in Scymnus auritus, opposite to the four instars of most coccinellid larvae. In author's view, because it recognizes the rare cypress scale for food, N. bisignatus demonstrates a large dispersion capability in its search for prey. This paper is dedicated to the memory of the clever coccidologist, Salvatore Marotta (1958-2001).