Hekal, A.M., & Sakr, H.E. 2001a Morphology and biology of the immature stages of Aphytis holoxanthus DeBach, a new recorded parasitoid of the black scale insect, Chrysomphalus ficus Ashm. in Egypt.. Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control 11(1/2): 63-70.

Notes: Aphytis holoxanthus is considered a new recorded ectoparasitoid of the black scale insect, Chrysomphalus ficus (C. aonidum), on citrus in Egypt. Apparently, this parasitoid was accidentally entered from Israel into Egypt during the beginning of the 1980s, causing the gradual scarcity of C. ficus and the entire displacement of Aphytis chrysomphali. The morphology and biology of A. holoxanthus were studied on C. ficus reared on sour orange seedlings under laboratory conditions (22.1 deg C and 70% RH). Immature stages of the parasitoid were described, their duration and numbers on a single host were estimated. The incubation period of egg lasted 3.4 days. This gregarious species has three larval instars, which occupied 2.7, 2.3 and 2.5 days, respectively, with a total larval period of 7.5 days. The prepupal period required one day, while the pupal stage averaged 4.9 days and the total developmental period lasted 16.8 days. Numbers of deposited eggs, developed larvae and formed pupae on a single host averaged 2.0, 2.0 and 2.2, respectively.